GILAS PILIPINAS : PHILIPPINES ELIMINATED IN THE GROUP STAGE OF THE FIBA OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

After 2 tough losses in as many days, the Philippine national basketball team - the Gilas Pilipinas has been eliminated from the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament being held held in Manila. The team dropped its two assignments in the group stage, ending winless and being eliminated.

World no. 28 ranked Gilas Pilipinas first took on no. 5 France Les Blues, which is led by no less than NBA star Tony Parker. After leading in the first quarter and majority of the 2nd quarter, the more experienced Frech team took the lead at the half and never looked back. Gilas threatened to come back in the 4th quarter, cutting the lead down from 13 to as low as 4 points. But the French team protected the lead and won with a score of 80 - 89.

Yesterday, Gilas went against the world no. 21 New Zealand Tall Blacks. The Kiwis was definitely on its A game and followed their game plan, limiting our naturalized player Andray Blatche to only 4 points in the first half. The Tall Blacks almost led all game long but again, the last quarter surge of the Philippines after curring the lead from 13 down to 5, fell short and eventually bowed down to the Kiwis with a score of 93 - 84.

The loss ended the hopes of the Gilas Pilipinas to qualify to the Olympics.

This might also be the last we see of some of the players wearing the Pilipinas jersey. Rumors has it that players like Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jeff Chan are planning to give way to younger players to be part of the national team. As of the writing, it is only RDO who has confirmed that he is indeed retiring from the national team with this post from his Twitter account :

I officially announce my goodbye of playing in Gilas Pilipinas Basketball! #PUSO

— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) July 6, 2016

Despite the loss, Gilas is undoubtedly the most successful national team in the past 20 years. Theyw ere able to reach the World Cup in 2014 and win back to back silvers in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA Asia Championships.

Eventhough we lost, let the lessons from these games make us stringer and better. Bounce back Gilas. Focus next on the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier where teams will be playing home and away games. With names such as Terence Romeo, Rayray Parks, June Mar Fajardo, Kobe Paras and Jordan Clarkson still willing to don the country's jersey, the future is still bright.

Heads up, Gilas Pilipinas! You still made us proud! Laban Pilipinas!