MANILA — Calvin Oftana erupted for 31 points in a sensational offensive display, but Gilas Pilipinas could not complete a late comeback as Bahrain dealt the defending champion an 89-85 upset to open the 2026 Asian Games basketball competition Friday at the Aichi International Arena in Japan.
Oftana, a late addition to the Philippine roster following Justin Brownlee’s injury, buried six three-pointers and carried much of the scoring load, but Gilas spent most of the second half trying to erase a deficit that ballooned to 15 points.
Bahrain seized control early, racing to an 8-0 advantage behind its interior attack before taking a 29-21 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The Filipinos fought back in the second period behind Oftana and eventually grabbed a 43-41 advantage following a basket by Justine Baltazar.
But Bahrain quickly wrested back momentum, closing the first half with an 8-0 run to regain a 49-43 lead at the break.
The Bahrainis tightened their grip in the third quarter, repeatedly answering Gilas’ attempts to cut the deficit and building a commanding 76-61 advantage entering the final period.
Gilas refused to fold and mounted a furious late rally, but Bahrain had already built enough cushion to withstand the Philippine charge.
The Filipinos were still down, 89-78, with three minutes remaining when Adrian Nocum converted a layup but injured his ankle after landing on the foot of Bahrain center Elijah Thomas. Nocum was forced out of the game and did not return.
Baltazar scored inside before Don Trollano drilled a three-pointer as Gilas continued to threaten in the closing minutes.
The comeback, however, ran out of time as Bahrain held on to hand the Philippines an early setback in its bid to defend the Asian Games basketball crown.
JaKarr Sampson powered Bahrain with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, while Mustafa Rashed added 20 points, including four three-pointers. Thomas also contributed 20 points.
Nocum backed Oftana with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Baltazar chipped in 10 points. Trollano finished with nine points and eight rebounds.
Gilas will try to bounce back against Kazakhstan tonight, while Bahrain takes on China on the same day./PN
