eGilas Pilipinas has advanced to the semifinals of eFIBA World Finals by finishing second in Group A.
eGilas used the energy from a boisterous hometown crowd to win its first two match-ups against New Zealand and Turkiye at the SMX Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga.
The prestigious event is presented by Predator and sponsored by Smart, PLDT, Red Bull, and Nike. The hosting of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was also supported by Senator Bong Go, Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Youth and Sports.
The eGilas squad composed of Kenneth Gutierrez, Clark Banzon, Julian Thomas Mallillin, Isaiah Alindada, and Prich Jayrald Diez, first took care of business against a game New Zealand side.
The Philippines won Game 1, 54-41, and then elevated their game further in Game 2, winning 59-44.
However, the highlight of the day for eGilas was their Game 1 encounter against Turkiye. It was a nip-and-tuck affair with no team building a comfortable lead. The Philippines needed a Turkiye miss at the buzzer to win it 53-52.
With momentum behind them, eGilas swept the Turkish side, winning Game 2 52-47.
“In the first game, the first half was played with their tempo. We adjusted in the second half, we made some plays, and composure was the key. That’s why we got the win,” said Diez in a post-game interview.
“The Game 1 win gave us momentum, we had all the confidence in Game 2. In Game 2, it was a bit easier but still a close game because Turkiye is a really tough team and we haven’t beaten them. It was an incredible feeling getting a 2-0.”
Asked about the hometown support, Diez said they were game changers.
“The crowd definitely was a huge factor,” he answered. “When they were chanting DEFENSE in the fourth quarter (against Turkiye), it felt like a real-life basketball game.”
With a chance to finish on top of Group A, eGilas struggled against Brazil in their final match-up. They lost the first game 58-56 and then dropped an emotionally charged second game 52-47.
The result was still enough to send the Philippines to the semis and eliminate Brazil but eGilas will be facing a tougher opponent in Team USA in the Final Four.