FIBA OQT: Gilas eyes Finals seat but has to go through Bruno Caboclo-led Brazil in semis

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone has long stressed his team is out to win the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.

After a Group A action that saw them upset world no. 6 team Latvia, the Nationals are now two wins away from achieving that and gaining the much-coveted slot to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

[RELATED STORY: Justin Brownlee sizzles as Gilas Pilipinas shock world no. 6 Latvia for strong start in FIBA OQT]

But they face the daunting task of overcoming a Brazil side led by Bruno Caboclo in the crossover semifinals.

The eight-year NBA veteran has been that man for the South Americans, averaging 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds through the group stage.

Caboclo is also getting big help from Leo Meindl and Marcelino Huertas, who are averaging 14.5 and and 10.5 points, respectively, for Brazil.

But right now, Gilas’ confidence is on a high and the Filipino dribblers feel like they can take on any team.

That confidence is coming from a pair of impressive performances against the no-nonsense European teams in the preliminary round.

Gilas first took care of business against the host country Latvia, 89-80, before clawing back from 20 points down against Georgia to lose by only two, 96-94 and punch the ticket to the semifinals.

[ALSO READ: Winning loser: Takeaways from Gilas Pilipinas' FIBA OQT battle vs Georgia]

At the center of that magnificent run was naturalized Filipino Justin Brownlee.

Brownlee, who Cone said should have been in the NBA with the way he’s been playing with Ginebra and Gilas, was simply doing everything right for the nation that adopted him.

He is norming 27 points and 8.5 rebounds, while making everyone around better with 8.5 assists.

“Somebody in the NBA missed out on this guy. They went on the ball,” said Cone on his prized ward.

“They should’ve seen this guy. He never should’ve been in the Philippines. He should be in the NBA.”

[ALSO READ: FIBA OQT: 'Big moment guy' Justin Brownlee of NBA caliber, says coach Tim Cone]

Whenever Gilas needed him, he delivered. And that’s exactly what the team and fans expect from him when Brazil and the Philippines collide on Saturday, July 6.

Tip off is at 8:30pm (Philippine time) at the Arena Riga.

[ALSO READ: 'Hindi ako maka-explode': Kai Sotto hopes for 'miracle' as he looks suit up for Gilas against Brazil in FIBA OQT semis]