by: Fionna Canales || Photo Credit: FIBA

Reaching new heights in the sports scene, the Philippines hosted the highly anticipated Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) World Cup 2023, kicking off the tournament with a chart-buster crowd enthusiasts of 38,115 on August 25 at the Philippine Arena.

The country, together with co-hosts Japan and Indonesia, organized the event with a total of 32 teams participating in 92 matches over the course of the competition, all in an effort to take home the famed Naismith trophy.

As national representatives, this year’s roster of Gilas Pilipinas was composed of Jordan Clarkson (bearer of NBA’s sixth Man of the Year in 2021), Ariel John Edu, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Jamie James Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, Kai Sotto, Scottie Thompson, Rhenz Abando and Roger Pogoy. Head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes and assistant coach Earl Timothy Cone led the Gilas team.

Despite the valiant battle, Gilas tumbled to a heartbreaking defeat over the Dominican Republic, 87-81, when their phenomenal point guard Clarkson fouled out of the game down to the last minutes allowing the Dominicans—led by NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns—to ravage through the home team and take their first victory.

On the brink of an early exit, the Philippines failed to clinch its arguably biggest chance to win in Group A after an 80-70 upset by Angola before a dazed home crowd.

Following their lose streak, Gilas finally kissed their second-round bid goodbye in the competition after bowing to Italy with a 90-83 mark on the scoreboard.

Down to the classification round, the team suffered its fourth consecutive loss to South Sudan, 87-68, to the dismay of the nation as this loss resulted in Gilas being ruled out of securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I’ve had numerous times to say that I’m really sorry that we were not able to deliver, and I take full accountability. I take full responsibility,” head coach Reyes said in a postgame press conference over the team’s losing streak.

“We just like to say that, as difficult and as disappointing the campaign has been so far, I’m still very proud of the effort. [The] guys put themselves on the line. [We] fought our best,” added Reyes.

Down to their last game, Gilas Pilipinas’ near decade-long wait for its first FIBA World Cup win was over as Clarkson saved the best for last, impressing across the board with 34 points to secure a 96-75 win over China.

With the win, the Philippines officially qualified for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), securing one of the 19 spots in the World Cup.

The FIBA World Cup 2023 ended with a historic championship triumph by Germany, defeating Serbia to take home their first-ever World Cup title. Dennis Schroder, who led the pack for the team’s Cinderella run, was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

With the culmination of their World Cup campaign, Gilas will next take part in the pandemic-delayed 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China with a new Final 12 and interim coach Tim Cone.