Gilas absorbs first loss in World Cup qualifiers as comeback falls quick vs New Zealand

[ad_1]

That is AI generated summarization, which can have errors. For context, at all times consult with the complete article.

Gilas Pilipinas drops the primary of its two-game homestand within the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers as its shedding streak to New Zealand continues

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas scored a breakthrough win the final time it hosted New Zealand. A repeat residence win, nonetheless, was not merely meant to be.

The Philippines noticed its fourth-quarter comeback fall quick in opposition to the visiting Tall Blacks, 69-66, within the first of its two-game homestand within the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on the Mall of Asia Area on Thursday, February 26.

Dwight Ramos completed with 16 factors, 8 rebounds, and a pair of steals, hitting key buckets in a late fightback that noticed the Nationals inch inside a single possession after trailing by as many as 10 factors within the remaining interval solely to witness New Zealand maintain on.

From down 53-63, the Filipinos clawed their manner again and reduce their deficit to 64-66 off a Ramos three-pointer with underneath a minute to play.

However New Zealand escaped off a Yanni Wetzel bucket and a Reuben Te Rangi free throw as time ran out on the hosts, with Ramos lacking a determined heave from half courtroom.

The Philippines badly missed the standard manufacturing of naturalized star Justin Brownlee, who discovered no solutions to the Tall Blacks’ suffocating protection and double-teaming.

Averaging 21.0 factors within the Philippines’ two-game sweep of Guam within the opening window, Brownlee completed with simply 4 factors on a paltry 2-of-9 clip.

CJ Perez backstopped Ramos with 15 factors, 3 rebounds, and three assists.

The loss marked the Philippines’ third straight loss to New Zealand after the Filipinos beat the Tall Blacks for the primary time in FIBA play by the use of a 93-89 win within the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2022.

Falling to 2-1 in Group A, Gilas Pilipinas hopes to bounce again in opposition to unbeaten Australia on Sunday, March 1, on the identical venue. – Rappler.com

[ad_2]