MANILA, Philippines – The country's national team Gilas Pilipinas will begin its quest in a must-win sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The national team will face familiar foes Team Qatar in Doha on Thursday, February 21, at 7 pm (Friday, February 22 at 12 midnight in Manila). Watch the game on livestream here.
The Philippines dropped to 5-5 record or 4th place in Group F after losing in the last two contests against Kazakhstan and Iran last year. The pressure is on to win back-to-back games in the final window, against Qatar and Kazakhstan (February 24) to improve the rank to 3rd spot, which guarantees World Cup berth.
Qatar is now just in the process of completing a failed bid in the FIBA World Cup or already eliminated in Group F after sitting at 6th place and having 2-8 record.
UPDATE: Gilas Pilipinas blows out Qatar by 38 points, keeps FIBA World Cup hopes alive
If the Nationals win at least one of the two games, they will then meet team in the Group E for the best 4th placer to earn the last World Cup slot.
Coach Yeng Guiao is confident that Andray Blatche's comeback will alleviate the team’s deficiencies—particularly on the defensive side of the floor.
Joining him in the Gilas lineup for the Qatar match are June Mar Fajardo, Poy Erram Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Gabe Norwood, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson, Jayson Castro and Thirdy Ravena.
WATCH: Gilas Pilipinas vs Qatar FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers on livestream (video courtesy of YouTube/Sports5):
Live updates courtesy of Sports5:
Tweets by Sports5PH
LABAN PILIPINAS!
— The Summit Express
The Philippines dropped to 5-5 record or 4th place in Group F after losing in the last two contests against Kazakhstan and Iran last year. The pressure is on to win back-to-back games in the final window, against Qatar and Kazakhstan (February 24) to improve the rank to 3rd spot, which guarantees World Cup berth.
Qatar is now just in the process of completing a failed bid in the FIBA World Cup or already eliminated in Group F after sitting at 6th place and having 2-8 record.
UPDATE: Gilas Pilipinas blows out Qatar by 38 points, keeps FIBA World Cup hopes alive
If the Nationals win at least one of the two games, they will then meet team in the Group E for the best 4th placer to earn the last World Cup slot.
Coach Yeng Guiao is confident that Andray Blatche's comeback will alleviate the team’s deficiencies—particularly on the defensive side of the floor.
Joining him in the Gilas lineup for the Qatar match are June Mar Fajardo, Poy Erram Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Gabe Norwood, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson, Jayson Castro and Thirdy Ravena.
WATCH: Gilas Pilipinas vs Qatar FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers on livestream (video courtesy of YouTube/Sports5):
Live updates courtesy of Sports5:
LABAN PILIPINAS!
— The Summit Express
