Malungkot ang naging pagtatapos ng kampanya ng Gilas Pilipinas sa FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Sa pangalawang pagkakataon, bigo itong makapanalo kontra naman sa Tall Blacks ng bansang New Zealand.
Gilas Pilipinas lost to New Zealand, 89-80 in the 2nd day of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Manila and is out of the tournament. Andray Blatche led Gilas with 30 points and 7 rebounds (4/7 from 3)
False optimism or not, Coach Tab Baldwin said that Gilas Pilipinas has a puncher’s chance to beat fifth-ranked France should the planets align for the nationals.
The planets did not align last night, though, as France overcame a game and determined Gilas Pilipinas 93–84 behind a combined 48 points from NBA superstar Tony Parker and Euroleague MVP Nando De Colo.
Gilas Pilipinas vs France in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament last July 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jayson Castro scored 14 points
Battle of the Point Guards: Tony Parker vs Jayson Castro and Tony Parker vs Terrence Romeo in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Manila as France beat Gilas Pilipinas by 9 points.
Watch: Parker vs Castro/Romeo Highlights
Gilas Pilipinas lost to France, 93-84 in their 1st game of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Andray Blatche led Gilas with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Terrence Romeo scored 19 points (3/5 from 3). Jayson Castro with 14 points and 3 assists. Gilas led in the 1st quarter, 30-22 but France took the lead at halftime.
Gilas Pilipinas vs France on July 5, 2016, 9pm in Day 1 of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Manila at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas Pilipinas lost to Turkey, 84-76 in their last tune-up game before the FIBA OQT.
Jayson Castro with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists
Jayson Castro played well with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists against Turkey last night.
Watch: Jayson Castro Highlights vs Turkey
Video by Sports5