'Felt like a win': Twitter reacts to Gilas Pilipinas' close fight vs Serbia

0Shares

Gilas Pilipinas supporters were treated to a spectacular showing from the national team on Wednesday (Thursday early morning in Manila) as they fought valiantly before losing to Serbia, 83-76 in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.

Netizens all expressed their admiration for Gilas, which came into the game battle-ready and gave a challenge to the world’s no. 5-ranked squad.

Gilas briefly took a 74-73 lead in the fourth quarter, although bad breaks costed them the game.

Nevertheless, it was a performance no one expected given the disparity in ranking and having a cadet-laden team that is only making the most of the opportunity presented.

Basketball personalities, reporters, celebrities, and more netizens all heaped high praise for the squad for being able to withstand a strong Serbian side bannered by Boban Marjanovic and Milos Teodosic.

The hosts 🇷🇸 @KSSrbije had to battle for real tonight!

Hats off to a fierce 🇵🇭 @officialSBPinc team 👏🏻#FIBAOQT

— FIBA (@FIBA) June 30, 2021

https://twitter.com/_mikeereyes/status/1410325528360329218

Grabe parin kayo, Gilas! Ang sarap maging Pinoy!

— Thirdy (@ThirdyRavenaaa) June 30, 2021

Mighty proud that we took the lead, and went this close to beating Serbia. Bright, bright, bright future for this team. Keep them together please! #LabanPilipinas 🇵🇭

— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) June 30, 2021

gilas young guns hanging w serbia til the end, playing with absolutely no fear. love it! 💪

— bestfriend korics (@ricoblanco) June 30, 2021

Kept the country up. Also, woke up the world. 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/b9utgmEZD9

— Polo Bustamante (@polo_bustamante) June 30, 2021

The correct answer to the question “Who will end Tab Baldwin’s winning streak?” is apparently Serbia. 😂😂😂

— Carlo Pamintuan (@carlo_pamintuan) June 30, 2021

Who would have thought? We almost took down Serbia with kids.

I’m ready to see more. Dominican Republic tomorrow. Walang tulugan ulit!

— Paolo del Rosario (@paodelrosario) June 30, 2021

taas noo Gilas Pilipinas!!!

2016 Olympic silver medalists & world rank no. 5 lang naman yun Serbia 😬

🇵🇭🏀🇵🇭🏀🇵🇭🏀🇵🇭🏀🇵🇭

— Magoo Marjon (@magoomarjon) June 30, 2021

Incredible performance by Gilas vs Serbia mins ago, Gilas led 74-73 with 3:42 left & Serbia up by only 1 with 1:57 to go! Gilas lost 83-76 but showed its heart, guts & pride! The loss was a win for honor! Gilas had more FTs 11-6, steals 12-4, FB pts 11-2 & same 3s & assts! Wow!

— Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) June 30, 2021

Great experience forcoach Tab & this young #GilasPilipinas team. This game reminded of the 2014 FIBA World Cup when @coachot and his team with @JAlapag3 & @GNorwood5 put on a excellent show and almost beat Argentina 🇦🇷 Basketball in 🇵🇭 is more than passion, it’s the way of life.

— Josh Bett (@JoshBett1) June 30, 2021

Young boys keeping it close

— Chris Ross (@cmross6) June 30, 2021

For a few mins in the 4th, Im sure we entertained thoughts of a win against mighty Serbia. And Gilas had a good shot. Proved again that for as long as we play the right way, we can compete vs the best. Proud of these young men. This is one loss that felt like a win. Laban 🇵🇭

— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) June 30, 2021

https://twitter.com/coachot/status/1410327393772793857

FIBA.basketball photo

Author
Recent Posts

Levi Joshua Jr Verora

Levi Joshua Jr. Verora 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.

Latest posts by Levi Joshua Jr Verora (see all)