Philippines def Latvia, 89-80 [Group Phase | 2024 FIBA OQT | July 4, 2024]

Gilas Pilipinas takes a shot at powerhouse Latvia to kick off its campaign in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in the capital city of Riga.

The Filipinos and host tangle at 12 midnight of Thursday (Manila time) at the Riga Arena.

Coach Tim Cone and the rest of the national team were at the gallery and watched as the world no. 6 Latvians whipped Georgia, 83-55, early Wednesday morning at the start of the four remaining qualifiers for the Paris Games.

Arturs Strautins finished with 18 points and was a perfect 4-of-4 from long range, while big man Davis Bertans of the Charlotte Hornets was 3-of-6 from the same distance to finish with nine.

The Latvians also got 11 points and seven rebounds from Mareks Mejeris, while Rolands Smits contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.

Arturs Zagars, who dished off a World Cup record of 17 assists in Latvia’s win over Lithuania, finished with six assists and eight points.

A win by Latvia, which finished a strong fifth in its first ever FIBA World Cup appearance last year, will have them advancing to the semifinals with a sweep of Group A, leaving Gilas Pilipinas and Georgia facing in a sudden-death for the last semis berth on Thursday evening (Manila time).