Gilas loses to the Dominican Republic in highly physical match
Gilas Pilipinas lost a hard fought and highly physical game against the Dominican Republic, 86-79, to close out their series of tune-up matches heading into the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Dominicans tried to take control of the game late in the fourth quarter but triples from LA Tenorio and Gabe Norwood kept Gilas in the game as they were down 80-78 with 1:20 left.
This proved to the closest Gilas could get as the Dominican Republic scored on two straight baskets for an 84-78 lead with 46 seconds left.
Norwood led Gilas with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists while Andray Blatche added 16. LA Tenorio was the only other Filipino who scored in double digits with 10.
Powered by a 9-0 blast, Gilas took a 13-7 lead early in the first quarter. However, the Dominicans recovered as they knotted the score at 21-all at the end of the first 10 minutes.
Gabe Norwood and Andray Blatche both scored six points in the opening period while Marc Pingris added four.
Tempers flared in the second quarter, as the game got physical. The fireworks started when Jack Martinez got entangled with Andray Blatche. Ranidel De Ocampo retaliated with a hard foul on James Feldeine which led to the two benches emptying. However, the situation was later pacified.
De Ocampo wasn’t done as he added another hard foul. His earlier victim, Feldeine, tried to reach him from the Dominican’s Republic’s bench but he was stopped by his teammates.
The Dominicans tried to pull away late in the second quarter but Paul Lee stepped back into the game and made two baskets to keep Gilas close. The Dominican Republic led the Philippines 48-44 after the fiery first half.
Blatche led Gilas with 9 points at the half while Norwood added eight. Gary David and Lee added seven each.
With Martinez leading, the Dominicans built a double-digit lead, 56-46, to force a timeout from head coach Chot Reyes at the 6:40 mark of the third.
Gilas held down the fort from that point on as they banked an a 7-1 run to cut the deficit down to four points, 57-53, heading into the final quarter.
Gilas got to within one, 63-62, after a Norwood dunk and a June Mar Fajardo basket. The Dominicans replied with two free throws but LA Tenorio tied the game at 65-all with a three point shot.
Gilas Pilipinas will open its 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup bid on Saturday, August 30 at 6:30 pm Manila time as they battle Croatia.
The scores:
Dominican Republic 86: Feldeine 15, Martinez 14, Vargas 12, Luz 11, Garcia 10, Sosa 8, Coronado 6, Seuno 4, Santana 4, Sanchez 2.
Philippines 79: Norwood 17, Blatche 16, Tenorio 10, Chan 8, David 7, Lee 7, Fajardo 6, Pingris 4, Aguilar 3, Alapag 1, De Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 48-44, 57-53, 86-79.
