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| Despite a tough loss to Angola, Gilas is still in the Top 16 race. Kennelf Monteza (file photo) |
QUEZON CITY--If not for the Dominican Republic's win against Italy earlier Sunday, Gilas Pilipinas would have been eliminated outright with their loss to Angola at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
However, Gilas' chances of making it to the Round of 16 remain very slim as a mere win would not be enough to put them in the Top 2 for Group A.
Following an unofficial computation by Dugout Philippines following Gilas' 80-70 loss to Angola, Gilas needs to beat Italy on Tuesday night by at least 13 points and hope that Angola loses to the Dominican Republic in the first game.
Gilas also needs to hope that Japan, which stunned Finland on Sunday night as well, loses to Australia and eventually misses the Top 16 cut so that they can get the best Asian finish in the FIBA World Cup, which means an outright spot in the Paris Olympics.
However, with Japan's win in Okinawa, Gilas coach Chot Reyes, when asked about the race for Paris, admitted, "[Our fate] is not anymore in our hands."
For now, though, according to Reyes, the focus is on beating Italy.
"The first thing for us is to make sure that we come out and prepare, and find a way to win that game. The quotient will take care of itself," Reyes said.
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