Slim chance to advance as Gilas 3×3 goes 0-2 in Fiba OTQ
Gilas Pilipinas’ Joshua Munzon plays in the group stage of the Fiba 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria. Photo from Fiba
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas dropped its second straight game with a 21-11 loss to Slovenia in the group stages of the Fiba 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament Wednesday at Graz’ Main Square in Austria.
The Philippines, ranked no.14 in the event, dropped to 0-2 in Group C and will now have to rely on France and Qatar to lose its next games in the group stage while sweeping its remaining matches to advance to the knockout round.
Slovenia, the no.4 team in the tournament, was on target early on taking a 15-3 lead courtesy of Gašper Ovnik’s two-pointer.
Simon Finzgar then sealed the win making the first of his two free throws with 2:17 still left on the clock.
Slovenia improved to 1-1 in the group after losing its first game, 19-17, against France.
“We know that we made some stupid mistakes in the first game and we lost something in our head, but it’s a long tournament,” said Anže Srebovt. “This one was a pretty easy win for us but we look forward to win more games.”
Finzgar led the Slovenians with nine points on the back of a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from deep while Ovnik and Srebovt both had six points.
Joshua Munzon finished with seven points to lead the Philippines while CJ Perez and Moala Tautuaa combined for four points.
The Philippines will next play no.18 Dominican Republic and no.6 France on Friday.
