MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Girls suffered an early exit in the FIBA 3×3 U17 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after going winless in the qualifying draw on Thursday, October 13.

The Philippines wasted leads in both of its losses to Hong Kong and Thailand as it failed to qualify for the pool stage.

Coming off a narrow 13-11 win over Thailand in the first game of the day, Hong Kong dashed the Filipinas’ hope of advancing by hacking out a come-from-behind 19-15 victory.

Gilas Girls standout Camille Nolasco waxed hot early and powered her side to an 8-6 lead before Hong Kong rode on a 9-2 run to build a 15-10 advantage.

The Filipinas narrowed the gap to 15-17, but Hong Kong kept the Philippines at bay with back-to-back buckets as time ran out.

Nolasco chalked up 9 points in the losing effort.

Although already eliminated as Hong Kong clinched the pool stage spot with a 2-0 record, Gilas Girls had a chance to end their campaign on a winning note only to absorb a sorry 21-20 overtime loss to Thailand.

Nicole Pring saw her sizzling 12-point performance go down the drain for the Philippines, which squandered a 9-4 start.

The Filipinas still led 16-13 off a Pring bucket before the Thais unloaded 5 straight points to mount an 18-16 edge.

Nolasco forced overtime with a pair of free throws to finish with 6 points, but the Thais banked on buckets from Chosita Sakaret and Rotratsamee Sinlapawisut to secure the win.

Second seed Thailand also got the boot in the tournament with a 1-1 record. – Rappler.com