‘What we’ve always wanted’: Cone says Gilas Pilipinas stunner vs Latvia huge for PH hoops

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas has gone through the worst in the past years that its recent success feels like a breath of fresh air.

And an ultra-rare win over a European team further boosted the Nationals’ resurgence as they shocked world No. 6 Latvia in its own backyard by way of an 89-80 stunner in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga.

The win marked the Philippines’ first over a European squad in an official FIBA competition in over six decades, or since...