GRITTY GILAS CREW DROPS CLOSE ONE TO DOMINICAN REP
Gilas Pilipinas put up another gritty performance and barely dropped a close 79-86 loss to the world’s 26th-ranked Dominican Republic five days before the start of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Riding the momentum of a nine-point win over Egypt the previous day, the Nationals fought the Dominicans to a battle in the first 35 minutes before losing steam at the finish of the intense match marred by a technical infraction committed by Ranidel de Ocampo in the first half.
The Nationals faded away from a 75-all count and ended their series of tune-up games played in the US, France and Spain with a 4-6 win-loss record.
Through Aug. 25, fiba.com put the Philippines at No. 17 in the Power Ladder among the 24 teams competing in the world joust set Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in six Spanish cities.
Based on the results of warm-up games played from May 29, the Gilas Pilipinas was ranked behind Greece, Argentina and Puerto Rico but ahead of Croatia and Senegal in Group B.
Spain and USA were the top teams with perfect 7-0 and 3-0 records in friendlies. Next was Lithuania, 12-1, then Dominican Republic (8-2), Mexico (6-3), France (6-3), Slovenia (6-3), Serbia (6-3), Brazil (5-3) and Greece (5-3).
Gabe Norwood top scored with 17 points that went with four rebounds and four assists while Andray Blatche came through with 16 markers and eight boards against Dominican Republic which blasted Senegal, 83-47, Saturday.
LA Tenorio delivered good all-around numbers of 10 points, five rebounds and four assists, Jeff Chan chipped in eight points and Gary David and Paul Lee added seven each in the game drawing another huge Filipino crowd at the Palacio Multiusos de Guadalajara.
The Nationals again made a good account of themselves and are thus heading for Seville in high spirits.
“We’re getting better. Finally, after just one month of preparation, the system and defense is starting to fall into place at the level where we need it to be,” said Gilas assistant coach Josh Reyes on his Twitter account.
“Hopefully, it would give us enough of a fighting chance,” Reyes added. (SB)
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