GILAS wins vs. Latvia in FIBA Paris qualifiers; Ends 64-year drought

GILAS Pilipinas defied the odds and historic trends by defeating Latvia, a European powerhouse, in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 

The Philippines secured an 89-80 victory on Wednesday, July 3, at the Riga Arena, marking their first win against a European team in an official FIBA competition since 1960.

Led by the dynamic duo of Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto, Gilas Pilipinas showcased resilience and composure against the world No. 6 Latvians. 

Brownlee, the resident import of Barangay Ginebra in the PBA and the country’s naturalized player, nearly clinched a triple-double with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. 

His crucial plays down the stretch, including a pivotal four-point play, thwarted Latvia’s late-game comeback attempts.

From the opening minutes, Gilas Pilipinas asserted dominance with an 8-0 run, setting the tone for the game. They extended their lead to a commanding 32-16 by the end of the first quarter, courtesy of clutch shots by CJ Perez and a strong defensive effort that limited Latvia’s scoring opportunities.

The Turning Point

Despite Latvia narrowing the deficit to just 9 points in the final quarter, Gilas Pilipinas remained composed, relying on their solid team defense and timely baskets to secure the historic win. Kai Sotto contributed significantly with 18 points and 8 rebounds, showcasing his growth and impact on the international stage. 

The Victory

Reflecting on the monumental victory, head coach Tim Cone expressed surprise and pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their focus on tournament success rather than individual games. He highlighted the team’s early offensive efficiency and defensive resilience as key factors in overcoming the favored Latvian squad.

“We’re not here to win a game. We’re here to win a tournament, to win the whole thing,” said Cone during the post-game press conference. “We wanted to come in and compete and really put on a good show. We got started early. We hit shots early. And thankfully, Latvia missed shots.”

Brownlee, named TCL Player of the Game for his stellar performance, shared his thoughts on the team’s mindset and strategy throughout the game:

“We knew we had to come out strong and set the tone early. Coach Cone emphasized the importance of staying focused and playing together as a team. It feels amazing to contribute to such a historic win for Philippine basketball.”

Kai Sotto, who played a pivotal role in the victory, reflected on the team’s improvements and the challenges they faced during the game:

“We started strong, but we also had moments where we needed to regroup and stay composed. Latvia made a strong push in the second half, but we stuck to our game plan and trusted each other. This win means a lot to us, and it motivates us to keep working hard for the next challenges ahead.”

“The Philippines had an excellent performance from the very beginning, they were very sharp, imposed their physicality, and found good solutions in the offense. That’s a good lesson for us. This can set the tone for such a tournament. Croatia had an amazing win against Slovenia and today they lost to New Zealand, a fresher team like the Philippines.” said Latvia head coach, Luca Banchi

As Gilas Pilipinas prepares for their next challenge, the team remains focused on maintaining momentum and building on this landmark achievement in international competition.

Scores:

Philippines 89 – Brownlee 26, Sotto 18, Ramos 12, Fajardo 11, Newsome 10, Perez 6, Quiambao 3, Aguilar 2, Tamayo 1, Oftana 0.

Latvia 80 – Kurucs 18, Dav. Bertans 10, Strelnieks 10, Zoriks 10, Smits 9, Lomazs 6, Strautins 6, Dai. Bertans 5, Timma 3, Cavars 2, Mejeris 1.

Quarters: 32-16, 54-38, 77-56, 89-80.

With reports from Kyla Cuba