Kazakhstan stuns PH in FIBA World Cup qualifier

Stanley Pringle's singular efforts couldn't prevent the Philippines falling to Kazakhstan on Friday. ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Team Philippines’ campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup was dealt with a huge blow. It suffered an 88-92 defeat in the hands of Kazakhstan last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The surprising defeat relegated the national men’s basketball team to a tie with Japan at third to fourth place in Group F with a 5-4 win-loss slate.

It also left the Philippines’ remaining matches against Iran, Kazakhstan and Qatar a must-win to advance to the World Cup next year in China.

The Philippines immediately fell to a 2-7 hole on aggressive plays by Kazakhstan before countering with a huge run to take an 11-7 lead.

The visiting team easily thwarted the run to come to within 17-18.

In the second period, Kazakhstan surged to a 35-28 lead on back-to-back treys by Rustam Murzagaliyev.

The Philippines answered with a run to cut the deficit to 39-40 at the half on back-to-back layups by Earl Scottie Thompson.

Both teams were into tight exchange early in the third before the Philippines took a 58-54 lead on a three-point play by June Mar Fajardo.

Kazakhstan, however, countered with its own rally to nab a 65-62 edge.

In the fourth period, Kazakhstan went on to extend the lead to 71-66 early but the Philippines had another run to take a 79-75 advantage on inside hits by Fajardo and Stanley Pringle.    

Kazakhstan had a strung of points to tie the count at 82-all before surging to a 90-85 lead with 34 seconds.

Philippines was able to cut the deficit to 88-90 on a triple by Marcio Lassiter but a layup by Anton Bykov sealed the win for Kazakhstan.

Alexandr Zhigulin led the way with 30 points, including six three-point conversions, while Bykov, Rustam Murzagaliyev and Rustam Yergali had 20, 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Kazakhstan.

 

Pringle, playing as the naturalized player, finished with 29 points. Fajardo had double-double 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Lassiter contributed 13 markers for the Philippines./PN

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