MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas suffered another lopsided loss in the 2014 Antibes International Basketball Tournament against the lower-ranked Ukraine, 114-64 on Monday, August 18.
After a promising start in the French tournament losing only by 7 against reigning European champions France, the Philippine Men’s National basketball team have now suffered two-straight lop-sided losses. (READ: Gilas loses to bigger, stronger Australia in France)
The Ukrainian team, which is coached by former Cleveland Cavaliers mentor Mike Fratello, started to pull away early in the second quarter scoring at will through penetration. Gilas struggled on offense, settling for jumpers and contested drives to the basket.
We needed that
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) August 17, 2014Gilas went to a 2-3 zone defense to contain the opposing team’s drives but the tactic backfired as Ukraine was able to consistently hit their outside shots. The Ukraine team went 19/33 from downtown, erasing hopes of a Gilas comeback.
The game already seemed out of reach by halftime with Gilas trailing, 61-35.
The second half was no different. Gilas failed to find any rhythm on offense or to get back on defense in transition, resulting in multiple fastbreak plays.
Japeth Aguilar created another highlight moment by blocking a dunk attempt but the game was already lost at that point with Gilas behind by 32, 78-46 with 1:29 left to play in the 3rd quarter.
The Philippine Men’s National basketball team played sans naturalized player Andray Blatche and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard Paul Lee, who were benched for precaution after sustaining minor injuries against Australia.
Oleksandr Lypovyy, a 6-foot-8 Serbian Leaguer who went undrafted in 2013 NBA Draft, led all scorers with 16 points on 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc. He was one of 7 Ukrainian players to score in double digits.
De Ocampo led the way for Gilas with 11 points. Only he and Jeff Chan (10 points) scored in double-figures for the Philippines.
UKR (114) – Lypovyy 26, Mishula 24, Zaytsev 15, Kravtsov 14, Zabirchenko 13, Mikhailiuk 11, Puztozvonov 10, Gladyr 9, Korniyenko 8, Natyahzko 7, Eugene 6, Zavadskiy 4
PHI (64) – De Ocampo 11, Chan 10, Castro 9, Tenorio 5, Douthit 5, Belga 5, Dillinger 5, Alapag 3, David 3, Aguilar 2, Fajardo 2, Washington 2, Pingris 2, Norwood 0
– Rappler.com
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