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MANILA, Philippines – The quest for a spot at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil may have been over for Gilas Pilipinas but the Philippines’ men’s national basketball team once again earned the respect of sports fans and spectators on social media.
On Wednesday, July 7, Gilas Pilipinas failed to advance to the semifinals of the ongoing FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (FIBA OQT) at the Mall of Asia Manila after losing back-to-back games to world number 5 France, 93-84, and then to New Zealand, 89-80 (Read: Gilas falls to New Zealand, gets eliminated in front of home crowd).
Shortly before the game against New Zealand ended, #LabanGilas became the number 1 trending topic nationwide.
We are still proud of you, Gilas Pilipinas! #FIBAOQT https://t.co/haFwFO5fM8 pic.twitter.com/X2AdR46PAb
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) July 6, 2016
Even with the heartbreaking loss, netizens and viewers still showed their support for Gilas Pilipinas until the very end.
Meanwhile, some netizens tweeted this viral photo of Alaska Aces’ Calvin Abueva after Gilas’ loss to New Zealand. Abueva, along with Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, were the last men cut from the final Gilas 12 line-up.
Abueva also became one of the trending topics in the Philippines after the game.
"Siya yung hindi mo pinili, pero nandyan pa rin para sayo." (c) #Abueva #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/sHrD9MisBO
— Bille Guzman (@BilleGuzman) July 6, 2016
The Group Phase of the FIBA OQT continues on Thursday, July 7, with Senegal facing Turkey at 6:30 pm, and New Zealand going up agianst France at 9 pm.
What do you think of Gilas Pilipinas’ performance at the FIBA OQT? Let us know in the comments section or write about it on X. – Rappler.com
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