Tag: bows

Gilas’ Olympic bid ends, bows out of Fiba OQT with loss to Brazil

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Gilas Pilipinas’ June Mar Fajardo against two Brazil defenders during the Fiba OQT semifinals game in Riga, Latvia. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas Pilipinas saw its dream to make it to the Paris Olympics end on Saturday night after losing to world No. 12  Brazil, 71-60, in the semifinals of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga, Latvia.

A third-quarter meltdown for Gilas Pilipinas spelled the end after the Filipinos allowed Brazil to go on a crippling 24-6 run that erased whatever strong start they had to the game.

It was all Brazil from that point with its star Bruno Caboclo catching fire and fueling his team’s push for the Summer Games. Caboclo, who played for several NBA teams, finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

LIVE UPDATES: Gilas Pilipinas vs Brazil Fiba OQT semifinals July 6

Justin Brownlee, who averaged 27 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in the group phase for Gilas, just couldn’t find his usual shots and was limited to just 15 points–all but three in the first two quarters.

Brownlee only found his mark again with 4:11 left to play after he picked up his fourth foul. He made a crucial 3-pointer that put Gilas within a realistic distance to make a last-ditch rally, 61-49.

Brazil, though, quickly responded with a 6-2 run making sure the Filipinos don’t get anything going.

After leading by as many as 12 in the first half, the Filipinos suddenly hit a wall in the third quarter while the Brazilians found their rhythm and quickly wrested the momentum.

Gilas Pilipinas went scoreless for more than six minutes into the third quarter.

June Mar Fajardo and

Despite the semifinal exit, Gilas Pilipinas still turned heads in Riga after stunning world No.6 and host Latvia and eliminating No.23 Georgia in the group phase.



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Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup

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Alas Pilipinas against Vietnam in the FIVB Challenger Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen and Vietnam shut the doors on Alas Pilipinas’ hopes of qualifying for the Volleyball Nations League next year after a 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 victory Friday night in the FIVB Challenger Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Tuyen peppered the Filipinas with 30 points built on 27 attack points and three blocks to show Alas the exit after just one game in the knockout quarterfinals.

“We are very grateful that we faced Vietnam. We learned a lot, realized many things we still need to improve on, and of course, we are very happy because many people watched, especially our fellow Filipinos here in the Philippines. So, I am thankful for all the support,” Sisi Rondina said.

HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam FIVB Challenger Cup

Rondina led the hometown bets with 15 points, all from attacks, with Canino backing her up with 12 points, all but one from kills.

Middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Thea Gagate added six and five points respectively for the world No. 55 hosts.

Sisi Rondina leads Alas Pilipinas in scoring in the loss.

Sisi Rondina leads Alas Pilipinas in scoring in the loss. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Earlier during the huddle, Ate Jia [de Guzman] just said that we shouldn’t think about anything else, just show what we can do. We know we have abilities that they don’t have, and even if we fell short, the fight is still there. Of course, it’s about not giving up,” Rondina added.

“As I always say, you never go home a loser because you learn something, you always learn something, especially now that we faced Vietnam,” Canino said.

READ: Alas Pilipinas hit with reality check ahead of Challenger Cup

Already down by two sets and giving its all to try and extend the match and somehow take the game from behind, Alas managed to tie the deciding frame at 14-all with Vanie Gandler’s attack from back row.

Rondina put her all into a cross-court hit to knot the game again at 16-all before Alas took the lead for the first time since the first set at 18-17 as Gagate rose for a quick hit.

But Tuyen was not going to allow the visitors to sink and wasted no opportunity to carry Vietnam on the verge of victory, 24-20.

Gandler squeezed in an attack through the block before Rondina committed a deadly attack error that sailed out and ultimately handed Vietnam a ticket to the semifinals opposite Czech Republic, which moved on with a straight sets win over Argentina earlier in the day.

The other semifinal bracket will feature Belgium and Puerto Rico.



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“Facing Vietnam was a huge opportunity and a lesson for us because experiences like that don’t happen often in our lives or with our team. We learned a lot of lessons inside the court,” Canino said.