Gilas Pilipinas’ Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo. Photo from FIBA.

Gilas Pilipinas’ win over a European squad was not only the rare thing that came from their 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) triumph over Latvia last night.

The Philippines, who were historically reliant on their speed and outside shooting due to their inferior height against international basketball competition, fielded twin towers June Mar Fajardo and Kai Sotto together against the world’s sixth-best squad in basketball.

This, as well as Gilas’ showing on the defensive end, received praise from Latvia head coach Luca Banchi, saying that it played a huge part in his squad absorbing the upset from the Filipinos.

“Of course, offensively tonight, they showed great performance. In the first three periods, they scored on almost everything,” said Banchi, who was named as the 2023 Basketball World Cup Best Coach.

“But I believe that also defensively, their system, their size, and their lineup typology closed the paint very well. Better to talk also about their defensive system, not only their offensive system.”

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo and the 7-foot-3 Sotto were vital in the Nationals getting a 43-34 advantage in the rebounding department, but it also forced them, according to Banchi, to rely more on their treys.

“It caused 40 and more shots by three points, which we scored only 10, so I would say their decision to collapse the lane was successful.”

“Their size allowed them to control the rebounds, and if I have to compare from [our game against Georgia], we had less second opportunities,” he continued.

Gilas Pilipinas in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Photo from FIBA.

Meanwhile, Banchi also hailed Tim Cone and his signature, ever-reliable Triangle System that made the Ginebra mentor the winningest coach in Philippine basketball.“They have an efficient offensive system. It’s not simple, and it’s not common. Not only in Europe, but in general, it’s not common to have teams who run such a system,” emphasized Coach Luca.

“[Their system] allowed them to have a clear identity on the court, but also defensively, it is a team that you have to attack with better poise and focus,” he continued.

Above all, Banchi said their defeat against Gilas will serve as their team’s turning point as they look to continue to fight for a ticket to Paris.

“Tonight was the turning point of the tournament, to understand what we need to continue to believe in the possibility to win the tournament,” he said.

The result of Gilas and Georgia’s faceoff tonight will finalize the teams from Group A who will advance into the OQT semifinals.

A win by the Philippines will put Gilas and Latvia as the Nos. 1 and 2 seed, respectively in the semis. A defeat by Philippines by 18 points or less will put them as the second seed while faltering by 19 points or more will eliminate them and allow Latvia and Georgia to advance into the crossover semis.

Game time is at 8:30 p.m.