Gilas Pilipinas kissed their hopes of direct qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics goodbye after losing to South Sudan, 87-68, at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Thursday night.
In front of thousands of mostly Filipino fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Philippines struggled to keep pace with South Sudan, which led by as many as 21 points in the second quarter, 51-30, on the back of six three-pointers in the first period.
In the final 20 minutes of play, the home team made an effort to turn things around.
Kai Sotto’s alley-oop with 7:28 left in the fourth quarter helped the hosts narrow the lead to just four, 60-56.
After that point, everything went downhill.
South Sudan responded by capitalizing on Gilas’ errors and missed opportunities, outscoring the hosts 27 to 12 to secure its second win and hand the Philippines its fourth defeat in as many games.
The Philippines was also eliminated from the race for the Asian Olympic ticket when Japan beat Venezuela in a thrilling comeback to improve to 2-2.
Chicago Bulls guard Carlik Jones finished with an almost triple double of 17 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and 14 assists, while Nuni Omot and Majok Deng added 13 points apiece for the World Cup debutants.
Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson had 24 points; Dwight Ramos dropped 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds; and AJ Edu contributed 12 markers and 14 boards for the hosts, who bowed to the Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy in the group stage.
Chot Reyes takes ‘full responsibility’
”We played our worst game when it counted the most,” Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes said at a post-game press conference.
”We spent too much energy trying to claw back, and we didn’t have enough to finish it. It’s unfortunate that this was the time for us to shoot below 40 percent from the field. We couldn’t make shots; I guess that’s the story.”
Reyes said he was taking ”full responsibility” for the national team’s poor performance on home soil.
“I have already said numerous times that I am really sorry that we were not able to deliver. I take full accountability. I take full responsibility,” he said when asked if he owed Gilas fans an apology.
As for his future with the team, Reyes left that up to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
”You all know that I’ve already retired and left this job several times, but when I was asked to come back, I could not turn my back on the call of [duty] for the flag and country,” said Reyes, who also coached the 2014 World Cup squad.
“As to what the future holds, it’s up to the federation. They know my feelings. We’re in constant communication,” he said.
The Philippines will wrap up its FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign against China on Saturday.
”There’s one more game to be played, and we will prepare as well as we can to again put up a fight against China,” Reyes said.
