By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas went through the lengths from the Laguna training camp to across Europe in Istanbul, Turkey and Sosnowiec, Poland for its buildup. And now to the Baltic region where a steep climb awaits the Nationals.
Looking ready and confident after two friendly matches, Gilas hopes to move heaven and earth to qualify for the 2024 Paris Games that will end a 52-year absence in the grandest sports show on earth.
The first hurdle Gilas has to overcome to reach that dream is world No. 6 Latvia which apart from its talent and size, will also be boasting a huge home court advantage against the Filipinos at Riga Arena in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament on Thursday, July 4.
Tip-off is at 12 a.m. (Manila time) with the Filipinos hoping to apply all of the lessons learned from the close losses to Poland and Turkey during its Europe trip.
Latvia though is certainly in a different league as compared to the two especially after it came just one shot away from making it to the semifinals of the 2023 World Cup when it narrowly lost to eventual champions Germany in the quarters.
Latvia may be missing the services of NBA champion Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics and the team’s best scorer in the last World Cup in Andejs Grazulis but the core of that squad remains for the OQT team led by brothers Dairis and Davis Bertans, the latter an NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets.
Arturs Zagars, Roland Smits, Rodion Kurucs and Klavs Cavars are also coming back to the team along with new additions Mareks Mejeris, Janis Timma, Arturs Strautins, Janis Strelnieks, Rihard Lomasz and Kristers Zoriks.
Smits averaged 13.3 points per game in the World Cup, behind Grazulis’ 14 points while Zagars and Davis Bertans had 12.4 and 12.0 points per outing.
Meanwhile, expected to lead the charge for the Filipinos is Justin Brownlee who is looking to once again lead Gilas to another drought-ending run after helping the team bring the Asian Games crown to the country after a 61-year wait.
Members of the Asian Games golden team like June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, CJ Perez, Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana are also part of the team out to perform a Houdini act.
Gilas, however, is only playing with an 11-man lineup following Scottie Thompson’s back injury.
Completing the cast are young guns Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao and Mason Amos.
Interestingly, Gilas will have the chance to get a first look at Latvia before the contest as it is set to face Georgia first on July 3.
Defense particularly from deep should be the focus for Gilas as Latvia shot 13 triples per outing on a high 42 percent clip during the World Cup.
The Filipinos also need to get its passing game going to increase its chances against the hosts – an area that has been a strength for the Nationals in the first window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, averaging 31.5 assists per game.
