by: ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA
GILAS Pilipinas showed a “riveting” performance, but fell short against the tougher Croatian giants, 78-81 to the start of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Palacio Municipal de Deportes San Pablo in Seville, Spain last night.
Gilas could have pulled the first win in 36 years against the European powerhouse, but Jeff Chan missed a game-winning shot that extended the thriller to the overtime, tied at 71.
The gutsy Gilas, down as much as 15 points, last held a 74-73 lead with two minutes remaining in the overtime after naturalized Filipino player Andrey Blatche complete three charities, but the Croats, rank 16th in the world, delivered four straight unanswered points to take the lead in the dying seconds.
GILAS Pilipinas showed a “riveting” performance, but fell short against the tougher Croatian giants, 78-81 to the start of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Palacio Municipal de Deportes San Pablo in Seville, Spain last night.
Gilas could have pulled the first win in 36 years against the European powerhouse, but Jeff Chan missed a game-winning shot that extended the thriller to the overtime, tied at 71.
The gutsy Gilas, down as much as 15 points, last held a 74-73 lead with two minutes remaining in the overtime after naturalized Filipino player Andrey Blatche complete three charities, but the Croats, rank 16th in the world, delivered four straight unanswered points to take the lead in the dying seconds.
Gilas fought on until Jayson Castro missed a buzzer-beater trey, allowing Croatia to eventually emerge triumphant, 78-81.
Gilas Coach Chot Reyes sought the technical foul called on Castro in the third quarter as the biggest factor.
“The refs called a technical foul that I couldn’t believe. The refs said Jason was flopping. The guy is 5-10 and he’s guarding a 6-5, how can that be a flopping?” said Reyes, who was quoted by the Philippine Star.
The referees called a technical and allowed Croatia to sink charities and made a trey at the buzzer.
Blatche led the offense of the Philippines topscoring everybody with 28 points and Jeff Chan adding 17 markers.
Blatche also came with 12 rebounds and a steal as against seven turnovers and three fouls in 41 minutes of action.
The Filipinos will try to pull a win as they clash with Greece at 8 p.m. on Sunday (2 a.m. on Monday in Manila) before battling former champion Argentina on Monday.
Box scores:
Philippines 78 – Blatche 28, Chan 17, Pingris 10, Castro 6, De Ocampo 5, Alapag 4, Tenorio 2, Lee 2, Fajardo 2, Norwood 2, Aguilar 0.
Croatia 81 – Bogdanovic 26, Simon 12, Saric 10, Tomic 8, Ukic 5, Markota 5, Rudez 4, Zoric 4, Lafayette 4, Babic 3.
Quarterscores: 9-23, 31-37, 49-57, 71-71 (Reg.), 78-81 (OT)
Gilas Coach Chot Reyes sought the technical foul called on Castro in the third quarter as the biggest factor.
“The refs called a technical foul that I couldn’t believe. The refs said Jason was flopping. The guy is 5-10 and he’s guarding a 6-5, how can that be a flopping?” said Reyes, who was quoted by the Philippine Star.
The referees called a technical and allowed Croatia to sink charities and made a trey at the buzzer.
Blatche led the offense of the Philippines topscoring everybody with 28 points and Jeff Chan adding 17 markers.
Blatche also came with 12 rebounds and a steal as against seven turnovers and three fouls in 41 minutes of action.
The Filipinos will try to pull a win as they clash with Greece at 8 p.m. on Sunday (2 a.m. on Monday in Manila) before battling former champion Argentina on Monday.
Box scores:
Philippines 78 – Blatche 28, Chan 17, Pingris 10, Castro 6, De Ocampo 5, Alapag 4, Tenorio 2, Lee 2, Fajardo 2, Norwood 2, Aguilar 0.
Croatia 81 – Bogdanovic 26, Simon 12, Saric 10, Tomic 8, Ukic 5, Markota 5, Rudez 4, Zoric 4, Lafayette 4, Babic 3.
Quarterscores: 9-23, 31-37, 49-57, 71-71 (Reg.), 78-81 (OT)