Not all is lost for Gilas.
Gilas Pilipinas’ loss versus Angola on Sunday was a tough pill to swallow for the players and fans.
But not all is lost for the national team.
According to coach Chot Reyes, their goal from the start is still alive—and that is to make the Paris Olympics in 2024.
"No matter how flickering that hope is, that hope is still alive,” Reyes said during the postgame press conference. “We need to keep our heads up and find a way to play our best on the next game.”
Gilas’ last opponent, however, will be world no. 10 Italy, who are coming off a tough loss as well in the hands of the Dominican Republic.
It also doesn’t help that Japan just won its FIBA World Cup match against Finland on Sunday, which puts them at the forefront of grabbing the lone Olympic spot from the tournament.
For Gilas to qualify directly to Paris, the national team will need to beat a hungry Azzurri squad by some margin.
Italy, of course, are also hungry to secure a win to advance to the Round of 16.
But while fans will be looking out for the score, Reyes said that they will remain focused on just winning the game.
"The first thing for us is to make sure that we come out and prepare and find a way to win that game,” said Reyes.
"The quotient will take care of itself, so we need to focus on what we need to do to be able to compete against a Top 10 team in the world,” he added.
Gilas will face Italy on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 8 p.m. Catch the action on One Sports, One Sports+, and Pilipinas Live.
(GM)