GILAS Pilipinas’ NBA2K esports team, eGilas Pilipinas, fell short of a podium finish as they bowed down to Turkey in the bronze medal match of the eFIBA Season 2 World Finals in Jönköping, Sweden.
Following a best-of-three loss to the United States, eGilas Pilipinas was unable to gather momentum heading into their match against the Turkish players, ultimately losing their bronze medal match, 62-46.
The team got off to a strong start at the World Finals, defeating opponent Lebanon, 75-22 in its first game. The Philippines was then defeated 53-41 by Turkey in their second match.
The eGilas Pilipinas team quickly rebounded with a stunning 52-43 triumph over Morocco in their last group stage game to set up a semifinal meeting with the eventual world champions, team USA.
eGilas Pilipinas started readily in the semis, but the favorites fought back and won Game 1, 43-33. In the second game, the Americans dominated the Philippines, 67-33.
Al Panlilio, president of the SBP, commended eGilas for representing the country in the first-ever onsite eFIBA World Finals.
“I just want to congratulate the Gilas team for making it to the semis and eventually finishing fourth after a solid series with the eventual champion USA in the eFIBA Season 2 World Finals,” he said.
“I am so proud of the team for representing the Philippines. We just have to continue to get better and maybe someday, hold that championship trophy,” Panlilio added.
Despite the defeat, the Philippine esports representative will walk away with a cash award of 4,000 euros (P240,000) from the two-day competition, which is contested in the NBA 2K24 5v5 ProAm mode.
Coach Nite Alparas and Kristian Cuaresma lead the eGilas team, which includes players Isaiah “PHI_ Ice2fast” Alindada, Clark “PHI ZavaLCB” Banzon, Kenneth “PHI_ Clue” Gutierrez, Prich “PHI DonPriich-” Diez, and Julian “PHI Social” Mallillin.
