Gilas Pilipinas roster before a Fiba World Cup game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. –Marlo Cueto/
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas has a mountain to climb in order to extend its run in the 2023 Fiba World Cup.
After Sunday’s crucial games at Araneta Coliseum, the Group A picture got much clearer with Dominican Republic holding the top spot at 2-0, and Angola and Italy tied at the second spot with a 1-1 record.
Gilas, which dropped to a 0-2 record, will have to beat Italy by 13 points to gain better hopes for a second-round appearance.
This is due to Italy beating Angola by 14 on Friday, 81-67.
But that won’t be all.
The Dominican Republic will also have to beat Angola on Tuesday to set up a triple-tie for the second spot at 1-2.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, however, chooses to focus solely on the Filipinos’ preparation for their next game.
“Whatever’s happening with the other teams is not within our control. We can only focus on what’s within our control,” said Reyes after Gilas’ 80-70 loss to Angola.
The top two teams with the best records in each group will advance to the next round.
The Olympics, meanwhile, is another conversation as only the top Asian team after the World Cup will earn a ticket to Paris for 2024.
So far, it’s Japan in the driver’s seat after its win over Finland in Group E, 98-88.
“We hope Japan loses its last game and we win ours then it’s all tied. I don’t know how they’re going to break that tie but in the end, it’s going to be dependent on the other games, it’s not going to be on our hands.”
“The only thing we have in our control is our next game.”
