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[av_heading heading=’Gilas bows to Australia, 68-84′ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, February 23, 2018
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MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas gave Australia Boomers a scare in the opening half before losing 68-84 in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne.
Despite playing without star guard Jayson Castro, Gilas was able to stamp class early as it built a 30-25 lead on inside conversions by June Mar Fajardo and Andray Blatche, but Boomers countered with a run to take a 37-32 lead at the half.
The Philippines was still in striking distance 39-42 following a basket by Kiefer Ravena but the Aussies relied on hits by Cameron Gliddon and Angus Brandt to pull to a 63-49 advantage.
Boomers increased the lead further 71-50 early in the fourth quarter before Gilas tried to made its last stand to come to as close as 14 points. The Aussies went on a finishing run to raise the lead to 18 points.
Gliddon led Boomers (3-0) with 16 points, including four 3-point conversions. Brandt added 13 markers while Mitchell Cleek and Kevin John Lisch had 12 points each.
Fajardo was the lone bright spot in the Philippine team with 15 points while naturalized center Blatche had another subpar performance with 8 points and seven rebounds.
Despite the defeat, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes still praised his players for their tough stand against the towering Boomers.
“The good thing about this game is now we know we can take them,” Sports5 quoted Reyes as telling his players.
Gilas will aim to bounce back from its first defeat in three matches in Group B when it plays host to Japan on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City./PN
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