Olympic hopes still alive for Gilas after China gets eliminated
Gilas Pilipinas’ hopes of making the 2020 Tokyo Olympics stayed alive after host China fell to Venezuela, 72-59 in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The loss put China at 1-2, therefore failing to advance to the next round. Poland and Venezuela booked tickets to the second round from Group A.
No Asian team made the second round of the World Cup.
The Philippines, China, Korea, Iran, and Jordan will vie for the lone Olympic slot dedicated for the continent in the 17th-32nd classification round.
The highest-placed Asian team by the end of the tournament gets a direct ticket to the Olympics next year, hosted by Japan.
China has a slight edge already as they won over Ivory Coast in their group for a 1-2 record so far.
Iran, Korea, and the Philippines were all winless in the first round. Gilas Pilipinas lost a heart-breaker to Angola, 84-81.
Jordan will wind up its group stage action against Germany tomorrow.
Gilas will face Iran and Tunisia in the classification round, while China will be up against Nigeria and Korea. Jordan will face Canada and Senegal.
Written by Levi Verora, Jr.
Photo from fiba.basketball
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