04 Sep Angola denies Gilas Tokyo spot
Gilas Pilipinas gave everything it has and more but fell short in the end as it fell to Angola, 81-84, in overtime to end up winless in the group stages of the FIBA World Cup in Foshan, China.
The Filipinos led by three, 70-67, late in regulation but Carlos Morais unleashed a six-point barrage to give the Angolans a 73-70 lead with 33 seconds to go. Good thing CJ Perez drained a booming triple to force OT.
But Angola took control in regulation period to snatch its first win in three outings while sending the Philippines to its third straight defeat.
It also deprived the Filipinos a chance to emerge the best Asian finisher that would have catapulted them straight to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Maybe next time.