Gilas Pilipinas’ long trip home just got a little bit longer.
Due to typhoon Ompong, the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team are currently stuck in Dubai as their flight back to Manila has been delayed for 12 hours.
The Philippine contingent was expected to be back home by Friday evening. However, the turn of events will bring the Filipinos back to Manila on Saturday morning – at the earliest.
With this, Gilas will have less than 48 hours to prepare for Qatar. Their first home game in the second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers takes place on Monday, September 17 at 7:30pm.
After figuring in a 73-81 loss to Iran, Gilas left Tehran for Dubai.
The team is currently settling in Copthorne Hotel Dubai to recover.
The Qatar National Team is also expected to arrive in Manila late.
Also on Thursday night, the Qataris were blown out on their home floor by the Australia Boomers, 43-95.
The game is a must-win for both teams.
A win by Gilas will put them a full game ahead of fourth-running Japan in Group F. A loss by Qatar, on the other hand, sends them to the brink of elimination.
