Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the road to Paris Olympics

Gilas Pilipinas fell short in its bid for a ticket to Paris Olympics.

The national team claimed its first win in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament after taking down world no. 6 Latvia, 89-80, on early Thursday (Philippine time) in front of the opposing team's home crowd.

The victory proved to be historic as well as it was the first win of a Philippine team against a European opposition in an official FIBA competition since 1960, according to FIBA.

Less than 24 hours later, the Philippines narrowly lost to Georgia, 96-94, but the point differential was enough to give Gilas a seat in the semis bus.

However, Gilas fell to Brazil in the semis, 71-60.

Here's what happened in the tournament:

Group stage

Since Gilas is pooled with Latvia and Georgia in Group A of the Olympic qualifier, it must finish in the top two spots of the group to advance to the next round.

According to FIBA, the Philippines needed to beat Georgia to move forward. If ever they lose to Georgia, it should be by 18 points or less and it will still qualify Gilas to the next round.

Georgia, on the other hand, needed to win against the Philippines by 19 points or more to advance to the semis.

LATVIA - Group A

???????? Latvia have qualified for the #FIBAOQT semi-finals
???????? The Philippines will qualify if they beat Georgia OR if they lose by 18 or less
???????? Georgia will qualify only if they beat the Philippines by 19 or more points

— FIBA (@FIBA) July 3, 2024

With the group stage done, Gilas already finished second in Group A.

Latvia, even before the Gilas vs Georgia match, was already assured of a slot in the next round as it finished the group stage with a 1-1 win-loss record. It opened its OQT campaign with a win against Georgia, 83-55, last Wednesday.

Crossover semis

The top two teams of each group would advance to the semis: Latvia and the Philippines for Group A, while Group B had Brazil as its top team and Cameroon as the second.

Gilas Pilipinas faced Brazil in the semis, while Latvia went against Cameroon.

???? Stage is set ????
Who will qualify for #Paris2024? ????#FIBAOQT pic.twitter.com/H0p7Jdavy1

— FIBA (@FIBA) July 4, 2024

Brazil won against Gilas, 71-60, thus ending Philippine basketball's road to the Paris Olympics.

Finals

The winner of each semis bracket will play in the finals and only the winner of the final match will book a ticket to the Summer Games.

Brazil and Latvia advanced to the finals.

Aside from the Latvia tournament, three other venues are hosting the Olympic Qualifiers — Spain, Greece, and Puerto Rico — which all follow the same rules. 

The Philippines last qualified for basketball in the Olympics in 1972 in Munich.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News