Photo credit: FIBA

In a nail-biting showdown at the Riga Arena in Latvia, Gilas Pilipinas fell short against Georgia with a final score of 96-94, yet managed to secure a spot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament semifinals. The Filipinos, despite facing their first defeat after consecutive matches in under 24 hours, clinched the number two spot in Group A, trailing behind top-seeded Latvia.

Georgia, ranked 23rd, came into the game needing a 19-point victory over Gilas to advance. They surged early with a surprising 16-0 lead and dominated with a 40-20 advantage midway through the second quarter. However, the resilient Filipinos steadily fought back, tying the game 74-all by the end of the third quarter.

Coach Tim Cone praised his team's perseverance, stating, "It's the first time I felt good about losing." He commended their resilience after being down by 20 points, emphasizing their composure in making a comeback.

Justin Brownlee played a pivotal role for Gilas, breaking the momentum with a crucial three-pointer and finishing near a triple-double with 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Dwight Ramos contributed 16 points, while CJ Perez, coming off the bench, added 14 points including a crucial eight-point run in the final minutes.

The absence of Kai Sotto, sidelined due to a rib injury in the second quarter, left a gap in the team's lineup. Coach Cone provided an update on Sotto's condition, revealing he was hospitalized for further evaluation.

Gilas Pilipinas now awaits their semifinal opponent from among Brazil, Montenegro, or Cameroon. Meanwhile, Georgia was led by NBA players Alexander Mamukelashvili and Goga Bitadze, who scored 26 and 21 points respectively, with Mamukelashvili showcasing sharp shooting from long range for the San Antonio Spurs.