MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas is two wins away from achieving their goal of a gold medal and a 2016 Summer Olympics berth after they eliminated Lebanon, 82-70, in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship quarterfinals on Thursday, October 1 in the Changsha, Hunan, China.
(HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas vs Lebanon – 2015 FIBA Asia Quarterfinals)
The Philippine national men's basketball team moves on to the semifinals where they will lock horns with Japan, whom Gilas defeated in the second round, 73-66. The match is slated for Friday, October 2 at 9:30 pm. (WATCH: Jayson Castro dances around Lebanon's defense)
Asian powerhouses China and Iran will face off in the other semifinals pairing also on Friday at 7:30 pm.
(WATCH: Gabe Norwood throws down two-handed dunk vs Lebanon)
Gilas led for nearly the entire 40-minute ballgame but only managed to permanently ward off the pesky Lebanese late in the fourth period.
Check out photos from the exciting quarterfinals match below!
– Rappler.com