MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas’ Olympic aspirations were dashed as Brazil secured a 71-60 victory in the FIBA qualifying tournament semifinals held at Arena Riga, in Latvia.
Brazil, under coach Aleksandar Petrovic, will face either the host team or Cameroon for a spot in the Paris Games.
The turning point came in the third quarter when Bruno Caboclo’s jumper initiated a 14-0 run, extending Brazil’s lead to 41-33. It took the Philippines six minutes to score their first field goal in the quarter, a tip-in by June Mar Fajardo, which brought the score to 41-35.
Despite a strong start with a halftime lead and shooting an impressive 51.2% from beyond the arc in previous games, Gilas struggled against Brazil, managing only 39% from three-point range. Brazil’s bench also outperformed the Gilas reserves, outscoring them 21-11.
Coach Tim Cone expressed the team’s disappointment: “It’s very painful, especially after leading at halftime. Losing Kai [Sotto] was a big blow for us. We need to be better; almost isn’t good enough.”
Sotto missed the game due to a rib injury sustained in the previous match against Georgia. Bruno Caboclo led Brazil with 15 points, with Marcelinho Huertas adding 13. For the Philippines, Justin Brownlee also scored 15 points, Dwight Ramos added 13, and both June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez contributed 10 points each.
Petrovic praised his team’s defensive effort, stating, “We can be proud of how we cut every single triangle play from the Philippines. This Brazil team has to play through defense.”
Ramos acknowledged the level of competition: “One-off night can mean the end. That’s how tough it is here.”
Gilas’ bid for the Olympics ends, but the journey and determination they displayed will be remembered.
(el Amigo/mnm)
