After FIBA World Cup ouster, what's next for Gilas?

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas shifts its attention to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after a heartbreaking campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

The Filipino cagers are now in Beijing, hoping to move on from their losses and play for the right to compete in the Olympics next year.

Gilas just landed Beijing after 3-hour flight from Foshan-sked is viewing 6-7pm then practice 830-10pm at Wukesong Stadium-2 more games for Gilas in classifers vs Tunisia & Iran @PhilippineStar @Sports5PH pic.twitter.com/nv4JwleRMu

— Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) September 5, 2019

After getting eliminated in the World Cup, Gilas enters the classification stage where they will be grouped with Angola and Group C squads Iran and Tunisia. 

However, Gilas will only be playing Iran and Tunisia with their loss against Angola carrying over.

The top-ranked Asian team after the classification stage will punch a ticket to the Olympics, joining Japan, which as host is automatically qualified.

With their 0-3 carry-over record, the Filipinos will need to win both against Iran and Tunisia to have a good chance at securing an Olympic berth.

So far, only China and New Zealand are the only Asian countries that have notched wins in the World Cup.

Gilas will play against Tunisia on Friday then Iran on Sunday.