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Gilas Pilipinas aims to defy all odds in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) with an all-amateur team.

With uncertainties surrounding the PBA, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) decided to send a young squad with no professional basketball experience to major FIBA tournaments this year.

Gilas earned a spot in the OQT that will be staged from June 29 to July 4 in Belgrade, Serbia after New Zealand backed out due to COVID-related reasons.

The Philippines will be facing home bet Serbia and the Dominican Republic in the group stage.

But the squad is not losing any hope as Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin talks about playing up their strengths, how this team is filled with top talents, and how he wants to raise a squad of leaders. – Rappler.com