Sep 06, 2019

Gilas finds no relief in classifications

Already down in the classification round, Gilas Pilipinas still found no relief.

The Nationals rammed into a torrid-shooting Tunisian side and went down to a 67-86 loss in Group N classification matchup in the 2019 FIBA World Cup at the Wukesong Sports Arena in Beijing.

Team Phl turned the ball over its first two possessions, allowing Tunisia to a 6-0 start, and the Nationals hardly got into the fight, staying winless in four games in this FIBA showpiece.

The African power went on coast-to-coast en route to the emphatic victory that put them in contention for a high finish among those fighting for 17th to 32nd spots.

With their fourth straight loss, the Filipinos, meanwhile, bombed out of the fight for a Tokyo Olympic entry among the Asian bets.

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What's left for coach Yeng Guiao and his troops is to salvage a feel-good win versus Iran at the close of the classifications Sunday.

Against the Tunisians, Gilas found no answer against a team hitting at a 42.3-percent clip from the arc and 52.2 percent from the two-point zone.

Andray Blatche got going only towards the end of the match and finished with a game-high 24 points.

Seven-foot-1 Dallas Maverick Salah piled up 12 points and 12 rebounds, and the Tunisian gunners went unstoppable with an 11-of-26 clip.

They're the second African team that humbled that Filipinos in three nights.(SB)

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PHOTO: FIBA.basketball


The scores

Tunisia 86 - Abada 16, Roll 13, Mejri 12, Ben Romdhane 10, Hadidane 10, El Mabrouk 8, Mouhli 6, Ghyaza 5, Slimane 3, Knioua 2, Abbassi 1, Chennoufi 0.

Philippines 67 - Blatche 24, Rosario 8, Barroca 7, Fajardo 6, Perez 6, Ravena 5, Bolick 5, Lee 3, Aguilar 2, Pogoy 1, Almazan 0, Norwood 0.

Quarterscores: 27-10, 46-24, 67-39, 86-67