Gilas Pilipinas faced off against South Sudan in a crucial match in the Fiba World Cup classification. After a series of disappointing losses and the growing criticism from the public, national coach Chot Reyes chose to be brutally honest about the team’s current state. He admitted that the morale of the team is extremely low, especially after the 87-68 defeat to South Sudan, which dashed their hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Reyes expressed his disappointment, knowing that other Asian countries were getting wins and the Philippines had missed a crucial opportunity. It was a devastating blow to their Olympic dreams, at least for now.
This loss marked Gilas’ fourth consecutive defeat, preventing them from securing a direct ticket to the Summer Games in Paris next year. What makes it even more disheartening is that the Philippines is on the verge of making history as the only host nation to finish the tournament without a single victory for the second time. The Philippines suffered this fate back in 1978 when the games were held in Manila, a record also shared by Colombia in 1982 when the tournament took place in Cali. Reyes understands that there is no time for sulking; the team’s national pride is at stake in their upcoming match against China.
The game against China is not only important for their pride but also significant for their Olympic aspirations. A loss to China could potentially eliminate the Philippines from the Olympic scene through the “best next team” rule. On the other hand, a victory would likely secure the Philippines an invitation to the 24-team field in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. China has already taken a step towards this with their win against Angola. China coach Aleksandar Djordjevic acknowledges the challenge ahead and emphasizes the need for his players to recover and prepare mentally for the tough game against the home team.
Kyle Anderson, the forward from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who played a stellar role in China’s win over Angola, acknowledges the tough environment they will face when playing against the Philippines. He is excited about the road game atmosphere and is ready to face the challenge. While the Philippines still has a chance to compete for a spot in the Paris Games through the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in the coming months, it is crucial for them to avoid finishing in the bottom five of this tournament. Reyes, however, is focused on the immediate task at hand and emphasizes the team’s commitment to fight for their country and give their best performance against China.
In addition to their upcoming match against China, the Philippines still has opportunities to qualify for the Paris Games through the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. The team’s performance in this tournament will determine their chances of competing in the Olympics. Despite the challenges they face, Reyes remains determined to give their all and hopes for a strong performance on Saturday.
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