On July 4th, the Olympic Men’s Basketball Qualifying Tournament in Latvia will continue with the Philippines facing Georgia.
The Philippines pulled off a major upset in their opening game, defeating last year’s World Cup 5th place finishers and tournament hosts Latvia, 89-80, without Clarkson. Naturalized player Brownlee had 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Sotto added 18 points and 8 rebounds. NBA player Bertans also played, but it seemed to be of no help.
Georgia also faced Latvia in their first game, but they lost badly, 55-83. Despite having NBA players Bitadze and Mamukelashvili, Georgia had no chance in the game. They had only 10 assists and 16 turnovers, showcasing a lack of offensive cohesion. Mamukelashvili led the team with 14 points, the only one to reach double figures. Bitadze added 7 points and 6 rebounds, but the team lacked any sense of unity.
The Philippines, Georgia, and hosts Latvia are all in the same group in Latvia. Latvia has already finished their group stage with a record of 1 win and 1 loss. The Philippines are 1-0, while Georgia is 0-1. This game will be the last in the group and will have a major impact on the qualification picture. According to the rules, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds. For Georgia, a loss will eliminate them from contention. A win, however, would depend on their point differential. Georgia currently has a point differential of -28, while the Philippines have +9, and Latvia has +18.
Based on the performances of both teams in their opening games, the Philippines appear to be the stronger team. Their naturalized players showcased their impressive skills. Despite the absence of Clarkson, they were able to defeat a European powerhouse. With only one team from the six advancing to the Olympics, the Philippines will be determined to win this game and secure the top spot in the group, setting themselves up to face the second-place team from the other group.
This article is from a user submission and does not represent the views of Soccer News Pick. If you repost it, please indicate the source: https://www.soccernewspick.com/other/6753.html
