The record 40,000 Filipino fans went home empty-handed as foul trouble, loss of discipline, and poor tactical adjustment cost the Philippine men’s national basketball team its 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opener against Dominican Republic, 81-87, Friday evening in Bulacan.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair for the first three quarters and a half for both teams. Gilas lost its defensive discipline in the fourth quarter, committing 11 of its 18 fouls in the payoff stretch, resulting in several free throws awarded to the Dominicans, the fouling out of Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, and the limited defense of rim protector AJ Edu against Minnesota Timberwolves ace Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Philippines was actually leading, 72-69, with seven minutes remaining but back-to-back triples by point guard Andres Feliz and super sub Antonio Peña regained the lead for the Dominicans midway in the payoff period.
It was all downhill for Gilas as Clarkson ultimately fouled out with an offensive foul in the 3:32 mark as the nationals committed ticky-tack fouls and gave up offensive rebounds as the Dominicans cruised through with the win.
“That was a really, really tough game. We respect the Philippine team, they played good basketball,” an exhausted Dominican Republic coach Nestor Garcia quipped after the game.
“We never thought that this is a very tough game. For the next game we have to be more attached with our principles,” team captain Jean Montero quipped.
Towns led the winners with 26 points and 10 rebounds and though he shot a poor 31 per cent from the field, 15 of his points came from the free throw stripe.
Victor Liz, who sizzled in the third quarter, added 18 points, including Dominican Republic’s insurance basket in the last two minutes, while Feliz tallied 12 points and eight assists.
Clarkson was the do-it-all guy for the Philippines with 28 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, but aside from his five fouls, the 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year committed eight turnovers.
Six-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo was the other bright spot with 16 points off a perfect 5/5 shooting while Dwight Ramos added 13 points, eight of which were scored in the third quarter.
Despite the loss, this was an improved losing margin by the Philippines against the Caribbean powerhouse, who whipped Gilas, 94-67, in the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade two years ago.
“Unfortunate with the disqualification of Jordan [Clarkson], really a big blow for us. . . We were fine until Jordan fouled out,” Philippine head coach Chot Reyes said, adding the fouls, turnovers, and Dominican Republic’s offensive rebound as reasons for Gilas’ downfall.
“We need to focus on the next game, quick turnaround for us, and focus on Angola,” he added.
In the first Group A game, Italy had a similar fourth quarter separation to frustrate Angola, 81-67.
Box scores:
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 87 – Towns 26, Liz 18, Feliz 12, Montero 6, Delgado 6, Figueroa 5, Peña 5, Vargas 5, Mendoza 2, Quiñones 2, Solano 0.
PHILIPPINES 81 – Clarkson 28, Fajardo 18, Ramos 13, Edu 7, Pogoy 6, Thompson 5, Ravena 2, Aguilar 2, Abando 2, Malonzo 0, Sotto 0.
Quarter scores: 22-18, 42-42, 66-64
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