Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 bid its Tokyo Games hopes goodbye following a heartbreaking 22-11 loss to Dominican Republic in the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Graz, Austria on Friday, May 28.

With Mo Tautuaa sidelined due to an injury, the Filipinos suffered their third loss in as many games as they crashed out of contention in the knockout round of the OQT.

In a battle between winless teams, Dominican Republic imposed its size on the shorthanded Gilas 3×3 crew behind Bryant Piantini and Henry Valdez to notch its first victory in Group C.

Piantini torched the Philippines with 8 points capped with the game-winning two-pointer, while Valdez frolicked inside the paint with 7 points and 8 rebounds.

A Joshua Munzon two-pointer and layup pulled Gilas 3×3 within 4 points, 10-14, but Dominican Republic unloaded an 8-1 run – highlighted by 3 straight Cesar Reyes Points – to nail the win.

Munzon led the Filipinos with 8 points and 5 rebounds, CJ Perez put up 2 points and 6 rebounds, while Santi Santillan had 1 point and 5 rebounds.

Now at fifth and last place in Group C, the Philippines can still end its campaign on a winning note against France later in the day. – Rappler.com