In a dramatic turn of events at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), Georgia’s Goga Bitadze made headlines with an unconventional attempt to force overtime in their crucial match against the Philippines.
The stakes were high for Georgia, as they needed to secure a victory by at least 19 points to advance to the next round. However, despite their best efforts, they fell short, losing 96-94.
The game was intense from the start, with Georgia initially taking a commanding lead. However, the Philippines mounted a remarkable comeback, narrowing the gap significantly. As the clock wound down, Georgia found themselves in a precarious position, leading by only two points. In a desperate bid to extend the game and potentially secure the needed margin in overtime, Bitadze attempted to score on his own basket.
The move, while unconventional, was a calculated risk. By scoring an own basket, Bitadze aimed to tie the game and force it into overtime, giving Georgia another chance to achieve the 19-point victory margin. Unfortunately for Georgia, Bitadze’s shot missed, and the game ended with the Philippines securing their spot in the semifinals.
Yo, this was crazy.
Georgia needed to win by 19+ to advance to the #FIBAOQT semi-finals.
Goga Bitadze tried to put back a missed free throw on the OPPONENT’S basket to send it to OT and give them a shot, but missed.
Wow, man. pic.twitter.com/nygcjwiLNE
— Blake (@blakesilverman) July 4, 2024
Bitadze, who plays for the Orlando Magic in the NBA, had a standout performance with 21 points and 11 rebounds. His teammate, Sandro Mamukelashvili of the San Antonio Spurs, also shone with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Despite their individual efforts, the team fell short of the collective goal.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Georgia, who had shown great promise throughout the tournament. For the Philippines, the victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, as they overcame a 20-point deficit and an injury to key player Kai Sotto to secure their place in the next round.
