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Gilas Philippines defeated world No. 6 Latvia led by Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto in a dominant victory in the opening match of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. This is the first time that Gilas Philippines has defeated a European team in an official FIBA competition since 1960.
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Philippines head coach Tim Cohen convinced his players on the eve of their match against Latvia that even though they might lose to the world’s sixth-ranked team, it should not dampen their hopes of winning the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“We’re not here to win a tournament. We’re here to win the tournament, win the whole thing,” Cohen said.
But the Nationals no longer see it as an impossible task as they stunned Latvia away from home to achieve a huge 89-80 upset The match will be held at the Riga Arena on Wednesday, July 3 (Thursday, July 4, Manila time) to increase their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds.
Justin Brownlee, who has scored numerous times for Cohen since he began his career as a reinforcement for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA in 2016, stood out again this year with a near triple-double performance of 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Brownlee scored in the final moments of the game, buying the Philippines enough breathing time and preventing Latvia’s counterattack in the fourth quarter, eventually winning Group A with a score of 1-0.
Latvia trailed by 26 points at 74-48, but they cut the deficit to 10 points at 81-71 midway through the final quarter before Brownlee regained control of the game with a brilliant four-pointer with 3:30 left to take the lead at 85-71.
The lead was enough to stave off a defeat for Latvia, which never expected to lose, especially after handing Georgia a 83-55 defeated In the first game.
Kai Sotto scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with eight rebounds, behind Brownlee’s defense, as the Philippines beat a European team in an official FIBA tournament for the first time in more than 60 years and for the first time since a narrow 84-82 win over Spain at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
“Sitting here in front of you guys after winning this basketball game, I’m just shocked,” Cohen said in his postgame press conference. “To be honest with you, this is not what we wanted to do.”
score
Philippines 89 – Brownlee 26, Soto 18, Ramos 12, Fajardo 11, Newsome 10, Perez 6, Quiambao 3, Aguilar 2, Tamayo 1, Oftana 0.
Latvia 80 – Kurucs 18, D. Bertans 10, Strelnieks 10, Zoriks 10, Smits 9, Lomazs 6, Strautins 6, Dai. Bertans 5, Tima 3, Kavals 2, Mejris 1.
Quarter: 32-16, 54-38, 77-56, 89-80.
– Rappler.com
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