Gilas bows out of FIBA Asia Challenge with blowout loss to Jordan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines ended the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge on a low note after absorbing a 119-105 defeat at the hands of Jordan in what was the team’s worst loss of the tournament on Wednesday, September 14, in Tehran, Iran.

After 4 days of staying toe-to-toe with its more experienced foes and snagging a decisive first win over Kazakhstan a day earlier, Gilas Pilipinas lost steam in the final day as it fell behind 24-5 early and never recovered.

Gilas 5.0, comprised of collegiate standouts formerly of the cadets team, finished its first high-level tournament with a 1-4 record.

The Filipinos lost by an average of 9.7 points in the first 3 games (against India, Chinese-Taipei, and China) before finally snagging a 98-86 win over Kazakhstan with Mac Belo leading the charge.

But Jordan proved too much to handle with its naturalized player Darquavis Lamar Tucker, the tilt’s top scorer, exploding for a tournament-high 37 points with 6 rebounds and two assists.

Marksman Von Pessumal finally had a breakthrough, sizzling for 30 points on 9 triples after he went scoreless in the first 4 games and missed all 11 of his previous field goal attempts.

Guard Mike Tolomia came up with his tournament-best 19 points, 5 rebounds, and two assists while Belo had 17 points and 6 rebounds, and CJ Perez added 10 points.

The game was marred by a near-scuffle with 0.9 tenths of a second left as Ed Daquioag absorbed a shoulder to the face from Muhammad Shaher Hussein as he was bringing the ball up for the final possession and the game already decided.

Daquioag crumpled to the floor as Roger Pogoy came to Daquioag’s aid and the players had to be separated. – Rappler.com