The winner of the Latvia OQT, where Gilas Pilipinas play, will join Japan, host France, and FIBA World Champion Germany in Paris.
Now more than ever, Gilas Pilipinas has an actual tangible goal towards the 2024 Olympics.
[Related: Olympics: USA-Serbia clash headlines basketball group stage]
The draw for the basketball competition in Paris is fully set, at least for the women’s basketball side. In men’s play, the four OQT winners are yet to be determined.
Gilas Pilipinas will be among the teams trying to get those coveted slots.
If the Tim-Cone led national team do pull it off, the Philippines will be bracketed into Group B alongside Japan, host France, and world champion Germany.
To make it to Paris though, Gilas will have to clear the gauntlet of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which has the national team playing in Latvia in July.
Gilas will take on host Latvia and then Georgia on back-to-back days come Jlu 3-4 in Group A play. The Philippines will need to be a top-2 team to advance in the semis, where Brazil, Cameroon, and Montenegro potentially await.
The rest of the Paris Olympics has Australia in Group A with Canada and the OQT winners from Greece and Spain.
Group C feature defending champion Team USA, Serbia, South Sudan, and the OQT winner from Puerto Rico.