Gilas-Pilipinas avenges lone Lithuania loss

GILAS-Pilipinas nipped LSU-Baltai, 90-88, Friday to avenge its only loss thus far in its Lithuania tuneup at Svyrutio Arena in Klaipeda City  for the Fiba-Asia qualifying tournament in August.

The third straight victory by the Filipinos since  an 86-89 defeat at the hands of the tall and streak-shooting Baltai side last week improved their overall record to 5-1 with a game left in their schedule.

The Filipinos battle Birstono Jazz-Diremta on Saturday to wind up their seven-game series of friendly matches with Lithuanian ball clubs. Gilas-Pilipinas beat Birstono, 74-63, also last week.

Team Philippines will fly home this week and will continue with its preparations for the Fiba-Asia joust slated August 1 to 11 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Bracketed with Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Chinese-Taipei in Group A in the Fiba Asia eliminations, the Filipinos are aiming to finish at least in the top two after two preliminary rounds to be able to avoid powerhouses like Iran and China in the quarterfinals.

A trip to Las Vegas in the United States where they will play NBA Summer League teams is also being drawn up for the Nationals.