by: ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA
GILAS Pilipinas put up another “almost” win, but fell short against higher ranked Argentinians, 81-85, as they suffered their third consecutive heartbreak last night at Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Spain.
The Philippines led by as much as 10 points in the first half, but could not handle stops as the Argentinians, ranking third in the world, started raining threes in the second half.
A traveling violation was called on Jayson Castro with 12 ticks remaining in the game, 81-83. Andre Nocioni hit two late charities to push Argentina’s lead to four with 6.6 seconds remaining.
Argentina sealed the victory after a long-three miss by Andray Blatche.
GILAS Pilipinas put up another “almost” win, but fell short against higher ranked Argentinians, 81-85, as they suffered their third consecutive heartbreak last night at Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Spain.
The Philippines led by as much as 10 points in the first half, but could not handle stops as the Argentinians, ranking third in the world, started raining threes in the second half.
A traveling violation was called on Jayson Castro with 12 ticks remaining in the game, 81-83. Andre Nocioni hit two late charities to push Argentina’s lead to four with 6.6 seconds remaining.
Argentina sealed the victory after a long-three miss by Andray Blatche.
The Philippines led the statistics with 48.1 percent from the three-point area compared to Argentina’s 39.5 percent.
Gilas Captain Jimmy Alapag’s 5/7 shots from the three-point area could not lift the Philippine team that committed 16 turnovers.
Ranidel de Ocampo led the scoring for the Philippines with 18 points, while Blatche, who almost sat in the whole first half because of the reported injury, still scored a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Despite three losses, Gilas remained in contention for the Round of 16.
Gilas Pilipinas will have to beat Puerto Rico on Wednesday before its campaign against Senegal on Thursday.
Box scores:
Argentina 85 – Scola 19, Mata 17, Laprovittola 10, Herrmann 10, Campazzo 9, Nocioni 9, Prigioni 8, Gutierrez 3
Philippines 81 – De Ocampo 18, Alapag 15, Blatche 14, Castro 11, Norwood 6, Fajardo 6, Lee 6, Tenorio 3, Aguilar 2, Pingris 0, Chan 0
Quarter Scores: 22-25, 43-38, 71-61, 85-81
Gilas Captain Jimmy Alapag’s 5/7 shots from the three-point area could not lift the Philippine team that committed 16 turnovers.
Ranidel de Ocampo led the scoring for the Philippines with 18 points, while Blatche, who almost sat in the whole first half because of the reported injury, still scored a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Despite three losses, Gilas remained in contention for the Round of 16.
Gilas Pilipinas will have to beat Puerto Rico on Wednesday before its campaign against Senegal on Thursday.
Box scores:
Argentina 85 – Scola 19, Mata 17, Laprovittola 10, Herrmann 10, Campazzo 9, Nocioni 9, Prigioni 8, Gutierrez 3
Philippines 81 – De Ocampo 18, Alapag 15, Blatche 14, Castro 11, Norwood 6, Fajardo 6, Lee 6, Tenorio 3, Aguilar 2, Pingris 0, Chan 0
Quarter Scores: 22-25, 43-38, 71-61, 85-81