FIBA OQT: Gilas Pilipinas gets chance at Tokyo Olympics after New Zealand pulls out

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Gilas Pilipinas will have a rare shot at making the Tokyo Olympics after the Philippines have been appointed by FIBA as a replacement team for one of the four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for men.

Following the announcement of the National Federation of New Zealand to withdraw from the #FIBAOQT & the @FIBA3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, @FIBA has decided to replace New Zealand by the following teams, according to the respective rankings:

🔗 https://t.co/RH2zt1zVY1 pic.twitter.com/aDNJz44Hm9

— FIBA media (@FIBA_media) February 26, 2021

The development comes after New Zealand pulled out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia, one of four tournaments to determine the last four countries who will go to the Tokyo basketball tournament.

Michael Joseph Nieto of the Philippines [photo: FIBA.com]

The Philippines was chosen based on its FIBA ranking as the next best Asia-Oceania nation after New Zealand.

Gilas competed in the Olympic qualifiers back in 2016 which Manila hosted, but sadly, they were eliminated right away.

The Serbia tournament includes Italy, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Senegal.

Only the winner of each of the four OQTs will make it to Tokyo.

Already in the Olympics are Japan as host country, Spain, Argentina, France, Australia, United States, Nigeria, and Iran.

FIBA.com photo

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Nguyễn J. Văn Linh (Levi Verora)

Levi Verora Jr. is a sportswriter, announcer, and commentator in the Philippines. He has covered national and international events like the FIBA Olympic and World Cup Qualifiers, AmeriCup, Asia Cup, and 3x3, Asian Volleyball Championship, ASEAN Basketball League, Southeast Asian Games, and AFF Championship. Nowadays, you'll hear his voice in the Philippines Football League and other local sports leagues.

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