Gilas Pilipinas def Qatar, 80-41 [19th Asian Games | Oct. 2, 2023]

Gilas Pilipinas shifts its total focus against Qatar in a last-ditch bid to make the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games.

The Filipinos and Qataris tangle at 4 p.m. Monday in the classification for quarterfinals at the Zhegiang University Zijingang Stadium.

The winner earns one of the four remaining quarterfinal berths, while the loser will be relegated to the classification for fifth to eight places.

Gilas found itself in a tight situation following its 87-62 loss to Jordan Saturday night that denied the team an outright quarterfinals berth as the top seed in Group C.

Now, it needs to get past Qatar if it is to stay in the running for a podium finish in this edition of the Asiad.

“Right now, what’s in front of us, let’s take care of Qatar,” said coach Tim Cone the day after the 25-point blowout against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan.

A slew of gunners comprised the Qataris, which finished third seed in Group A, led by 6-foot-1 point guard Abdullah Mousa.

A victory would set the Philippine team in a quarterfinals collision with Iran, which topped Group A.