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…
Justin Brownlee had 36 points for the Filipinos, who reached the continental meet’s semifinal for the first time since 2002.
The Women’s squad is bunched with regional powerhouse Japan, Kazakhstan, and Hong Kong in Group B play that unfurls on Sept 27 at the Shaoxing Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Host Philippines bowed to the sweet-shooting Italians, 90-83, to end up winless in Group A play of the global showcase at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Gilas Pilipinas smoothened the gaps in its game in the first half and then kept it together the rest of the way to dispatch host Cambodia during the gold medal match.