Tag: Gilas

Tim Cone says Gilas star Justin Brownlee ‘should be in the NBA’

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Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game to help secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone believes NBA teams missed an opportunity to have “a big moment guy and best teammate ever” in Justin Brownlee as Philippine basketball continues to gain from his storied career.

Brownlee is the biggest key to Gilas moving within just two wins away from entering the Paris Olympics after leading the team with an average of 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists to reach the semifinal of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga.

Cone isn’t surprised with the stellar showing of his longtime import for Barangay Ginebra but he reminds the world what the NBA is missing out on since the 36-year-old forward went undrafted in 2011.

HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Georgia Fiba OQT July 4

Brownlee only played the G-League with the Maine Red Claws and NBA Summer League with the New York Knicks in 2012 before syiting up for their developmental affiliate, Erie Bayhawks.

“I’ve said this before: Somebody in the NBA missed out on this guy. They weren’t on the ball, they should have seen this guy he never should have been in the Philippines. He should be in the NBA,” said Cone in the press conference of Gilas’ 96-94 loss to Georgia on Thursday to cap the group stage with a 1-1 record.

“He is a big moment guy. He plays huge in big moments. And he has proven it over and over again. What he’s [been] doing in this tournament is no surprise to what we’ve seen throughout his career in the Philippines. He’s dominant there and he’s always engaged. When he’s aggressive, there’s just nobody better than him,” he added.

It wasn’t Cone who just praised Brownlee. Kai Sotto made a bold statement after their shocking 89-80 win over World No.6 Latvia that their naturalized forward is “Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball” while Dwight Ramos tagged him as the best teammate he has ever played with.

READ: Gilas’ Justin Brownlee ‘Michael Jordan of PH basketball’

Brownlee, who willed the Philippines back from 20 points down against Georgia with another near-triple-double performance of 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, was grateful to hear those kind words from his teammates.

“Man, I really appreciate the compliment from both guys but I really don’t know how to feel about that. I just try to the [get the] W. and I always [try to be] a really good teammate, try to jell with the guys, try to get guys going and try to play off of the guys as well as try to get them playing off me,” Brownlee said.

Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game to help the secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket.

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game to help secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket. –FIBA PHOTO

“Being compared to Michael Jordan of the Philippines. I don’t even know what to say about that but I definitely appreciate the compliment.”

Brownlee, who also delivered the country’s first Asian Games basketball gold in 61 years, said that he is just applying what Cone has been teaching him since he joined Ginebra in 2016.

READ: Gilas win over Latvia puts spotlight on Tim Cone triangle offense

“I would be nothing without [my] teammates. A famous quote that coach Tim tells the Ginebra guys and on the Gilas team is, ‘One is too small of a number to achieve greatness,’” he said. “I just try to go by that and try to get the best out of the team and try to put my best for the team.”

Cone had no shortage of praises for his longtime player, who already delivered six PBA championships out of the 25 the legendary coach has earned.

And Brownlee c0ntinues to deliver for Cone, this time on the international level for Gilas Pilipinas.

“He’s absolutely the best teammate I’ve ever seen through all my coaching, he’s just a tremendous teammate,” the Gilas coach said. “He has that rare skill that every time he plays and any team he plays, he makes the players around him better, they play at a higher level.”



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“I used to think I was really a good coach because I had him all the time and then he goes to another team and still wins everywhere he goes. So obviously it’s not me, it’s really him because he just wins everywhere, any country he goes to, they win championships and it’s amazing because he knows how to make people better around him.”

The coach-player tandem of Cone and Brownlee tries to bring their magic to Gilas, which battles Brazil in the semifinal on Saturday for a chance to enter the final, where the lone ticket to Paris is on the line.

Forcing OT vs Georgia wasn’t an option for Gilas, says Tim Cone

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone’ after the Philippines’ loss to Georgia in the Fiba OQT group phase. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone said he didn’t want to risk going overtime against Georgia to try and salvage a win even with the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) semifinal berth secured.

When Gilas trailed Georgia, 93-96, with 14 seconds remaining, Cone called a timeout and decided with his coaching staff not to force extra regulation. The Filipinos then milked the clock before Chris Newsome drew a foul from Giorgi Ochkhikidze with 2.8 ticks left.

Newsome made his first shot but missed the second with Goga Bitadze even attempting to score off the putback in a bizarre move. Georgia won over Gilas, 96-94, but didn’t qualify for the next round, failing to win by 19 points.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT semifinals 2024

“We couldn’t go into overtime. We had an opportunity to shoot a three at the end to try and get us into overtime and play,” Cone said after the loss. “We just felt we didn’t want to give them an opportunity to try to extend the lead in overtime.” 

Cone, however, took the blame for Bitadze’s final attempt to force overtime.

“He missed a dunk follow-up, that was a bad coaching decision on my part. I should’ve had Newsome hold the ball and not even shoot that second free throw and get a violation,” Cone said. “That would’ve been a smart move. I blanked out and did not think about it. We were lucky we didn’t go into overtime.”

READ: Tim Cone says Gilas star Justin Brownlee ‘should be in the NBA’

Despite losing and finishing Group A with a 1-1 record, Cone is grateful to make it to the semifinal against Brazil on Saturday, inching two wins closer to the Paris Olympics.

“It’s the first time I felt good about losing and I just want to compliment our guys… they went down 20 and it could have been an easy panic time and they worked their way back into the game,” said Cone lauding his wards’ comeback from a sluggish first half.

“One little streak here or there, we could’ve been down by 30 and we’re going home, using those [flight] tickets we have for tomorrow. But they really showed their resilience.”



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Gilas books OQT semis spot despite close loss to Georgia

On: By: admin


Kai Sotto. Photo: FIBA

It took just eight months for Gilas Pilipinas to add another compelling chapter to this basketball-crazed country’s rich history.

In less than 24 hours, the team made sure to keep adding to the story.

The Philippines unearthed a semifinal spot in defeat after a 96-94 loss to Georgia late Thursday evening extended its run in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.

After winning the Asian Games gold for the first time in six decades last October, Gilas Pilipinas notched a milestone with an 89-80 victory over world No. 6 and host Latvia in a Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) early Thursday morning, marking the first time the country defeated a European squad in 64 years. But as national coach Tim Cone insisted, the Philippines is in Riga, the Latvian capital, not just for the footnotes.

“[W]e’re not here to just win one game,” he said after the win over Latvia.

The Filipinos, indeed, nearly made it two-in-a-row against European countries. They battled back from a 20-point deficit and took leads late in the game before yielding to the No. 23-ranked country in the Fiba ladder. Still, the world No. 37 shut the door on Georgia as it carried—and eventually protected—a plus-18 quotient that ushered the Philippines to the semifinals and within two wins of a spot in the Paris Olympics.

“We really want to try and get to the finals and see what would happen if we get to the finals. That’s really the goal,” Cone said. The Philippines hasn’t played Olympic basketball since the Munich edition of the Summer Games in 1972. Twelve years before that last appearance, the Filipinos scored an 84-82 victory over Spain in the preliminary round of basketball competitions in the Rome Olympiad.

Brownlee shines anew

The Philippines had not beaten a European team since then, until Thursday’s wire-to-wire conquest of the Latvians. And Cone said his charges were hell-bent on making sure that win won’t be the highlight of this tournament.

Justin Brownlee had 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead Gilas again against Georgia at Arena Riga.

Dwight Ramos and CJ Perez chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively.

The Georgians, anchored by NBA big men Sandro Mamukelashvili and Goga Bitadze, looked on track for a final four berth thanks to a blistering start built on pinpoint shooting.

But they fumbled their chance in the third period when they had little answers against cutthroat fightback led by Perez and youngster Carl Tamayo, who chipped in seven in the surge. Gilas managed to do well despite not having Kai Sotto, who hurt his right rib in the first half, and will now move to face either Brazil or Cameroon in the semifinals. Sotto was crucial in that huge upset of Latvia, scoring 18 points.



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Georgia found itself in a bind even before the clash against the Philippines, needing to beat Gilas by 19 or more following an 83-55 massacre at the hands of Latvia two days ago.

Romualdez lauds Gilas Pilipinas after win vs Latvia

On: By: admin


MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez heaped praises for Gilas Pilipinas after pulling an upset against world no. 6 Latvia in the 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

Romualdez in a statement on Thursday said that Gilas’ victory in the OQT is proof of the Filipino’s unwavering spirit and dedication to their craft.

“It is with great pride and heartfelt congratulations that I commend Gilas Pilipinas for their historic victory against Latvia in an official FIBA tournament. This triumph, ending a 64-year drought of wins against European teams, is glaring proof of the unwavering spirit, dedication, and perseverance of our national basketball team,” he said.

“Hindi lamang ito simpleng panalo sa scoreboard, kundi isang panalo para sa puso ng bawat atletang nangangarap na irepresent ang Pilipinas sa pandaigdigang kompetisyon. Nagsisilbi itong inspirasyon sa maraming Pilipino na magpursige dahil iba ang talento ng mga Pilipino,” he added.

(This is not just a win on the scoreboard, but also a win for the heart of all athletes hoping to represent the Philippines in international tourneys. This will serve as an inspiration for many Filipinos to pursue because our talents are one of a kind.)

READ: Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

Gilas, currently ranked 37 in the world, won 89-80 against OQT host Latvia. The victory opened up the possibility of an assured semifinal berth for the Philippine team should they win against Georgia or lose by a margin of less than 19 points.

The Philippines eventually failed to win against Georgia but was able to clinch the semifinal spot as they lost only by two, 96-94.

READ: Gilas falls short vs Georgia, but still headed to Fiba OQT semis

Romualdez meanwhile assured Gilas and other Filipino athletes of the House’s continuous support.

“We are committed to providing the necessary resources and assistance to help our national team reach even greater heights. Whether through legislative measures or collaborative efforts with relevant organizations, we will ensure that our athletes receive the support they need to excel on the international stage,” Romualdez noted.

“To the players, coaching staff, and everyone involved with Gilas Pilipinas, we extend our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to our nation. May this victory be the first of many, as you continue to inspire us with your exceptional performance and unyielding spirit,” he added. —With reports from Moss Laygo, trainee



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Gilas win over Latvia puts spotlight on Tim Cone triangle offense

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a Fiba OQT Riga game against world No. 6 Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

MANILA, Philippines — In an era where the three-point has become one of the major weapons in basketball, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone continues to prove that triangle offense can still work even on the world stage, which is now dominated by fast-paced plays.

Cone’s signature offensive scheme worked wonders to stun World No.6 and host Latvia, 89-80, to open Gilas’ Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign with high hopes on early Thursday morning (Manila time) in Riga. 

Some may call the triangle offense outdated in today’s era of basketball reliant on sprawlball — a term coined by NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry for the current dominance of the three-point shot — the 66-year-old Cone said he will live and die with the system innovated by Tex Winter and popularized by NBA multi-titled coach Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

“I guess I’m still a dinosaur at heart playing the triangle. I’ve been playing the triangle for 30-plus years I was mentored by Tex Winter. I just enjoyed living on his legacy and keeping it going. It’s an offense I believe in,” said Cone in the postgame press conference of the country’s first win against a European team since beating Spain in the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Even the longtime PBA coach admitted that at some point in his career, he doubted the system that helped him win multiple titles with the Alaska Aces, San Mig Coffee (Magnolia franchise), and Barangay Ginebra. 

“There’s a lot of critics especially when it went to the New York Knicks, people started doubting it. And even I left it for a couple of years because I was like everybody must be right, if everybody’s saying it’s a bad offense, they must be right. But I did as much as I could for two years without it,” said Cone. “And then I went back to it. It’s been my best friend ever since.”

Living and dying by the triangle

Gilas Pilipinas Latvia Georgia Philippines Fiba OQT Riga Schedule live updates

Gilas Pilipinas ahead of its game against Latvia in the Fiba OQT in Riga. –FIBA BASKETBALL

Missing a couple of key players ahead of the OQT, the 25-time PBA champion coach stood firm in applying his bread-and-butter in their quest to chase a ticket for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“When I came into camp with my players, I told them this is what I know best, this is what I can teach best and so we’re gonna live and die with this,” Cone said. “People aren’t as familiar with it now since when Chicago and LA were, 10 years ago,” he said. “I’m enjoying running it and I’ve always enjoyed running it and I’m just proud that we’re able to do something with it.”

READ: Tim Cone says Gilas win over Latvia ‘means a lot to fans back home’

The triangle works for Cone in a way that makes his defensive system easier with Gilas limiting Latvia to a 27-of-72 shooting clip and its NBA player Davis Bertans scoring just 10 points on a 2-of-8 shooting clip.

“It’s an offense, if I may say, that plays at a tempo in which you can play defense and that’s why I love it so much and I’m kind of famous for the triangle. But I really feel like I’m more of a defensive-oriented coach and that offense just helps me run the defense,” Cone said.

Latvia coach Luca Banchi believes that Cone’s triangle offense wasn’t just the key to the Filipinos’ triumph but also their height and defense. 

“They have an efficient offensive system. It’s not simple. Let’s say not only in Europe but in general, it’s not common to have teams who run such a T system,” said Banchi, who steered Latvia to a fifth-place finish in last year’s Fiba World Cup in Manila.

“It takes time. I know that the coach has a long time coaching and, let’s say, sharing these basketball ideas around the country. That affects the players’ style and that allowed the team to have a very clear identity on the court but I believe that also defensively, this is a team that you have to attack with better poise and focus, which we didn’t do tonight.”

Gilas continues its chase for an Olympic berth against Georgia on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time). 

Cone’s triangle has been immortalized in the PBA as one of the most successful systems in league history and even in Philippine basketball after it delivered the team’s first Asian Games gold since 1962 in the 19th edition in China last year.



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Will it end the country’s 52-year appearance drought in Olympic basketball?

Gilas falls short vs Georgia, but still headed to Fiba OQT semis

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee puts on another sensational game against Georgia to help secure the Fiba OQT semifinals ticket. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas Pilipinas overcame a horrendous start before settling for a 96-94 loss at the hands of Georgia and still locking a semifinal spot in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OTQ) in Riga, Latvia.

Gilas trailed by as many as 20 points before closing the gap on the world No. 23 Georgia, which needed to win by 19 points to eliminate the Philippines and join host Latvia in the crossover knockout phase.

The Nationals will face either Brazil or Cameroon in the final phase, with Gilas now just two wins away from a historic return to the Summer Olympic Games.

HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Georgia Fiba OQT July 4

“We got this stop done and now we’ve got another step to take. And I think that’s where the focus is and hopefully where the focus is of our guys,” national coach Tim Cone said of the next phase.

Justin Brownlee finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead Gilas once again at Arena Riga on Thursday.

Dwight Ramos and CJ Perez chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively, while Chris Newsome had 13 as the Filipinos reaped the benefits of beating World No. 6 Latvia less than 24 hours ago at the same venue.

READ: Gilas Fiba OQT win over Latvia puts spotlight on Tim Cone’s triangle offense

“We were down 20 at various points of the game and one little streak here or there we could’ve been down 30 and we’re going home and using those flight tickets we have for tomorrow,” said Cone with a chuckle. “But they really showed their resilience.”

“We’ve been saying, it’s the first time we’ve felt good about losing,” he added.

Filipino fans at Arena Riga cheering for Gilas Pilipinas against Georgia.

Filipino fans at Arena Riga cheering for Gilas Pilipinas against Georgia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

The Georgians, anchored by NBA big men Sandro Mamukelashvili and Goga Bitadze, looked on track for a semifinal berth thanks to a blistering 16-0 start built on pinpoint shooting.

They pushed the lead to as big as 40-20 in the second quarter before Brownlee and June Mar Fajardo, who finished with six points and six rebounds, kept the Nationals within striking distance before halftime.

READ: Gilas’ Justin Brownlee ‘Michael Jordan of PH basketball’

Georgia fumbled its chance to take full control in the third period when it had no answer against cutthroat fightback led by Perez and youngster Carl Tamayo, who chipped in seven in the surge including the 3 that tied the game at 70.

Already down to 11 men before flying to Riga, the Philippines managed to do well despite not having center Kai Sotto for most of the game after he hurt his right rib in the first half.

“We’ve lost Kai early and never got him back in the game. He’s in the hospital checking out his rib whether that’s an x-ray, we have no news on that yet how far or whether he’ll go forward. But the fact is we lost him but still fought our way back into the game,” said Cone.

Georgia found itself in a bind in the semifinals hunt following an 83-55 beatdown at the hands of Latvia two days ago.

The semifinal games in Riga are scheduled for Saturday.

The Scores:

Georgia 96 – Mamukelashvili 26, Bitadze 21, Shengelia 17, Thomasson 14, Sanadze 13, Andronikashvili 5, Ochkhikidze 0, Londaridze 0, Korsantia 0, Jintcharadze 0.

Philippines 94 – Brownlee 28, Ramos 16, Pere, 14, Newsome 13, Tamayo 7, Fajardo 6, Sotto 4, Oftana 4, Aguilar 2, Quiambao 0, Amos 0.

Gilas Pilipinas vs Georgia Fiba OQT July 4

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas Fiba OQT group phase schedule July 4

Riga, Latvia

8:30pm– Philippines-Gilas Pilipinas vs Georgia

FULL FIBA OQT RIGA SCHEDULE HERE.

Gilas win over Latvia puts spotlight on Tim Cone’s triangle offense

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a Fiba OQT Riga game against world No. 6 Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

MANILA, Philippines — In an era where the three-point has become one of the major weapons in basketball, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone continues to prove that triangle offense can still work even on the world stage, which is now dominated by fast-paced plays.

Cone’s signature offensive scheme worked wonders to stun World No.6 and host Latvia, 89-80, to open Gilas’ Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign with high hopes on early Thursday morning (Manila time) in Riga.

Some may call the triangle offense outdated in today’s era of basketball reliant on sprawlball — a term coined by NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry for the current dominance of the three-point shot — the 66-year-old Cone said he will live and die with the system innovated by Tex Winter and popularized by NBA multi-titled coach Phil Jackson with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. FULL STORY

Jordan Clarkson reacts to Gilas’ big win in Fiba OTQ

Gilas Pilipinas player Jordan Clarkson from the Utah Jazz in the NBA reacted to the Philippines’ win over Latvia on Thursday. Clarkson was Gilas’ naturalized player for the Fiba World Cup last year.

Tim Cone says Gilas win over Latvia ‘means a lot to fans back home’

Gilas Pilipinas tim cone latvia Philippines Fiba OQT schedule

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a Fiba OQT Riga game against world No. 6 Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

MANILA, Philippines — Even Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone was shocked with how his team pulled off a massive upset against world No.6 Latvia in the opener of their Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign.

Gilas Pilipinas, led by Justin Brownlee and big men June Mar Fajardo and Kai Sotto, never wavered against one of the world’s best teams as it stunned Latvia with a wire-to-wire 89-80 win in front of the massive home crowd on Thursday (Manila Time) in Riga. FULL STORY

Gilas’ Justin Brownlee ‘Michael Jordan of PH basketball,’ says Kai Sotto

Justin Brownlee Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid schedule

Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto was all praise for Justin Brownlee, who once again played the hero for Gilas Pilipinas in its 89-80 shocker of world No. 6 and host Latvia in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on Thursday.

Sotto even went on to say that his naturalized teammate is the “Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball.”

Brownlee, also the hero in the Gilas’ historic gold medal run in the Asian Games last year, scored six straight points highlighted with a four-point play to give the visitors an 85-71 with over three minutes left. FULL STORY

Philippines wakes up to result of Gilas’ first OQT game

Justin Brownlee Gilas Pilipinas Fiba OQT Paris Olympics basketball

Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

National coach Tim Cone has made one thing clear months before the tall order Gilas Pilipinas needs to hurdle in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.

“I’m a big believer that there are always really hard things to do. But nothing’s impossible,” he had told the Inquirer.

The architect behind last year’s golden romp in the Asian Games in China put that mantra to the test once again on Thursday morning in Manila, when the Philippines wakes up to the result of its National squad opening its OQT stint against Latvia and its home crowd at Arena Riga. FULL STORY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqxnLs35-30

Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas Pilipinas pounced on Latvia’s early shooting woes and played with steely nerves down the stretch to topple World No. 6 and host Latvia, 89-80, in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on Thursday.

The No. 37-ranked Filipinos, overwhelming underdogs in the short meet at Arena Riga that will send a winner to the Paris Olympics, raced to an 8-0 start and built a sizable cushion that they never yielded until the final horn.

“I’m totally shocked to be sitting in front of you guys after winning this basketball game. This is not something we thought we were gonna do, I’ll be honest with you,” said Gilas coach Tim Cone after the game. FULL STORY



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Gilas win over Latvia ‘means a lot to fans back home’

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a Fiba OQT Riga game against world No. 6 Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

MANILA, Philippines — Even Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone was shocked with how his team pulled off a massive upset against world No.6 Latvia in the opener of their Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign.

Gilas Pilipinas, led by Justin Brownlee and big men June Mar Fajardo and Kai Sotto, never wavered against one of the world’s best teams as it stunned Latvia with a wire-to-wire 89-80 win in front of the massive home crowd on Thursday (Manila Time) in Riga.

It was the country’s first against a European team since beating Spain in the 1960 Rome Olympics. And Cone was in awe of how the Filipinos overcame the daunting task, pouncing on the absence of Latvia star Arturs Zagars and limiting the home team to 27-of-72 shooting through their steady defense and masterful run of the triangle offense.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

“I’m totally shocked to be sitting here in front of you guys after winning this basketball game,” Cone said in the postgame press conference.

“This is not something we thought we were gonna do, I’ll be honest with you, we wanted to come in and compete and really put on a good show. We got started early. We made shots early. Then, thankfully, Latvia missed shots and also Zagars didn’t play.”

Cone lauded the defense of his squad, which helped them pull off the stunner including the big shots of Brownlee down the stretch, limiting NBA player Davis Bertans to just 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting.

“Got to credit our guys and their defense. We were doing our best trying to defend everybody,” said the Gilas coach. “We were obviously very, very conscious of him (Bertans). We played him with a smaller guy who can be quicker. You look at our line-up, our big guy had to go out and guard (Rodion)Kurucs. We put our big guy on Kurucs and kept a smaller guy on Bertans.”

READ: Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

“But the guy (Bertans) still makes some incredible shots… Watching him in Georgia, and then we were going through all the videos, we were preparing for him. The shots he makes are just phenomenal. You just have to hold your breath and hope he misses. We try to slide into him and then hope and pray that he would miss. And tonight, he missed, went in our favor,” he added.

Cone attributed their big win to the Filipino fans back home, who stayed late which the game starting at midnight Thursday in Philippine time, to show their support by watching their first OQT game.

‘Basically Filipino’

Gilas Pilipinas looks to thr crowd after beating world No. 6 and home team Latvia in a Fiba OQT game in Riga.

Tim Cone-led Gilas Pilipinas looks to the crowd after beating world No. 6 and home team Latvia in a Fiba OQT game in Riga. –FIBA PHOTO

“How many times you can get to the international arena and have success? That’s a huge feather in your cap, not just for me but for all the players and all the people back home,” said the Barangay Ginebra coach.

“I grew up in the Philippines. I’ve been there my whole life. I went there when I was nine years old. And people know that about me and they know that I’m basically a Filipino although I have blonde hair and green eyes. It’s a feather in the cap for everyone.”

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

“For us to have success on the world stage really means a lot to what’s going on back home. This is what we always wanted so this is a big huge step for us to be able to play Latvia at home and go at them face-to-face and come out with a win. It’s amazing for us.”

Despite their impressive start in the OQT, Cone stressed that the Filipinos didn’t come to win just one game but to “move on and get to the next round and have a chance to play in the final” as they battle World No. 23 Georgia on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time).



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“We really wanna try and get to the final and see what will happen if we get to the finals. That’s really the goal,” he said. “ Whenever you win a game the expectations go up so then you have to keep chasing the expectations and hopefully we won’t feel that and hopefully we can get that communicated to our team that we can’t play the expectations, we just play the way that we can play.”

“We have to turn around and play Georgia and our gonna country is gonna expect us, especially after this win tonight, to win tomorrow and it’s really gonna be a tough job for us to beat Georgia.”

Gilas’ Justin Brownlee ‘Michael Jordan of PH basketball’

On: By: admin


Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto was all praise for Justin Brownlee, who once again played the hero for Gilas Pilipinas in its 89-80 shocker of world No. 6 and host Latvia in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on Thursday.

Sotto even went on to say that his naturalized teammate is the “Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball.”

Brownlee, also the hero in the Gilas’ historic gold medal run in the Asian Games last year, scored six straight points highlighted with a four-point play to give the visitors an 85-71 with over three minutes left.

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

“The world doesn’t really know much about Justin Brownlee. But for me, he’s the Michael Jordan of Philippine Basketball,” said Sotto, who also stepped up for the Filipinos with 18 points and eight rebounds, in an interview with Fiba.com

Brownlee and Sotto paved the way for the Philippines’ first win against a European team in a Fiba-sanctioned tournament since 1960.

The 22-year-old Sotto was confident that Brownlee would deliver when it mattered most, restoring the order for Gilas when Latvia fought its way back from a 26-point deficit and cut it down to 79-69 midway through the fourth quarter.

Justin Brownlee Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid schedule

Justin Brownlee soars for a slam in Gilas Pilipinas’ Fiba OQT win against Latvia. –FIBA BASKETBALL

“That’s what we expect him to do and that’s what he does every night,” said Sotto, who first teamed up with Brownlee in the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers early this year.

“He just goes out there with his A-game every single night. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great player and we’re very blessed. We’re very lucky to have him.”

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

Brownlee flirted with a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

Sotto, who has been thriving under coach Tim Cone’s tutelage at Gilas Pilipinas, relished surpassing the Filipinos’ first test of the Fiba OQT on the road to the Paris Olympics.

“It’s a really great game tonight. We all know how great Latvia is and we really prepared hard against Latvia and their players. I think we just came out strong tonight and we had some rough couple of minutes in the second half but we just hung on and believed in each other, we just followed coach Tim [Cone],” he said.

“I’m very blessed and happy that we got the win tonight and no one got injured. I’m just happy that everyone contributed to the win.”



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Sotto and Gilas Pilipinas have no time to celebrate their historic win as they shift their focus against Georgia on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. (Manila time).

Philippines wakes up to result of Gilas’ first OQT game

On: By: admin


Justin Brownlee leads Gilas Pilipinas’ rout of host Latvia to open the Filipinos’ Fiba OQT campaign. –FIBA PHOTO

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia

National coach Tim Cone has made one thing clear months before the tall order Gilas Pilipinas needs to hurdle in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.

“I’m a big believer that there are always really hard things to do. But nothing’s impossible,” he had told the Inquirer.

The architect behind last year’s golden romp in the Asian Games in China put that mantra to the test once again on Thursday morning in Manila, when the Philippines wakes up to the result of its National squad opening its OQT stint against Latvia and its home crowd at Arena Riga.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid

Against overwhelming odds, Cone had already asked his crew—led by the indefatigable Justin Brownlee, the World Cup-tested duo of June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, and young cornerstones Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos—to have the immediate goal of making the knockout crossover, where they have a better chance of tabbing an Olympic berth.

“We’re not here to win a game. We’re here to win a tournament. We’re here to win the whole thing,” he was quoted saying during practice in a story published by the PBA website.

“Losing to [Latvia] does not get us knocked out. But losing—if we allow that first one to affect us in the second one (against Georgia), then we’re gonna be knocked out,” he added.

READ: Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

Cone’s outlook may be the only logical step for the No. 37-ranked Philippines to take, considering how high Latvia is in the global basketball leaderboard.

The hosts are ranked sixth on the planet and lived up to that lofty billing with an 83-55 whipping of world No. 23 Georgia in Group A.

So hapless were the Jvarosnebi that national coach Aleksandar Dzikic and Duda Sanadze had very little to say about their performance.

Latvians flex might

“We didn’t respond well enough and long enough to their physicality and this result in the end is actually quite embarrassing, to be honest,” said Dzikic.

“[W]e’re very disappointed. The score is not what we are and what we worked [for]. We worked hard these past days and some weeks, but this score’s not us. From the bottom of our hearts, I just want to say sorry for our efforts—to our fans and families—because this is not really us,” Sanadze said.

Cone and his charges were witnesses to the merciless Latvian display. And so Gilas also knows how deflated the Georgians are.

And that could spell trouble for the Filipinos, too, as that means the Jvarosnebi will be dead-set on redeeming themselves in their clash set 8:30 p.m. on Thursday (Manila time).

“If we can beat one of those two teams (Latvia or Georgia), that means we can compete in the crossover, [and] you never know from there,” Cone said.



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The Philippines will need at least a win over Georgia to improve its chances of making the next phase, where they could either play Cameroon, Montenegro, or Brazil.