FOR Gilas Pilipinas, a victorious last bow in the 2023 FIBA World Cup proved to be a giant game-changer.
First and foremost, it was a triumph of spirit for the national team and the entire nation.
Second, that one mighty swoop of China's tall Dragons led by NBA veteran Kyle Anderson lifted Gilas from down the bottom all the way to a 24th-place finish in the quadrennial FIBA showpiece featuring 32 competing teams.
To loud roar from the home fans, the Nationals trumped the Chinese, 96-85, in a big victory also handing Team Philippines a ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.
A tough pathway it may be, at least there remains a chance for the Nationals to make the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
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Powered by a 24-point explosion by Jordan Clarkson in the third quarter, Gilas ended up as the de facto bronze-medalist among the Asian teams in the meet behind Japan (3-2) and Lebanon (2-3).
Japan secured the automatic Asian berth to the Paris Games while the Philippines joined Lebanon as Asian teams taking a last shot at the Olympics via the tough OQT.
With a closing win over Iran, Lebanon finished 23rd in the FIBAWC23, then came the Philippines ending ahead of Mexico, Angola, C?te d'Ivoire, Cape Verde, China, Venezuela, Iran and Jordan.
And it was a big improvement from the Philippines' embarrassing last-place finish in China in 2019 marked by huge blowouts.
Coach Chot Reyes' troops snapped the Philippines' nine-game losing skein in the World Cup since beating Senegal, 81-79, in overtime in Spain in 2014.
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And it was a sweet one cherished by the crowd of over 11,000 at the Big Dome and the millions who followed the game on TV and on their gadgets.
It drowned sorrows of defeats at the hands of the Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy and South Sudan.(SB)
