Gilas Pilipinas
GILAS Pilipinas threw up bricks in the third period on Thursday night and lost big to a talented, hulking Netherlands crew, 62-89, at the start of the Toyota Four Nations Cup at Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.
The Filipinos scored just four points in the third period and saw a 38-39 deficit get out of hand as the enemy took a 68-42 lead into the fourth quarter which Gilas never surmounted the rest of the way.
Up next for the Filipinos is host Estonia at 1 a.m. (Manila time) on Saturday.
Coach Tab Baldwin was not at all pleased with the way his wards played their first official game since they were called to join the training pool last Aug. 3.
Not even a swarming full-court press in the fourth period could bring the Filipinos back in the game as their offense failed to reignite.
“It was our first game and I know it’s a process, but I hate losing,” naturalized center Andray Blatche was quoted by Sports5 reporter Carlo Pamintuan after the game. “I’m anxious to see how we’ll bounce back.”
The Filipinos will play Dondon Hontiveros and JC Intal, as well as practice player Moala Tautuaa, when they clash with the Estonians.
Hontiveros and Intal, a pair of outside gunners, as well as veteran Ranidel de Ocampo missed the game against the Netherlands because of injuries.
De Ocampo has a hamstring pull.
Team officials said Baldwin will sit out Jimmy Alapag, Gary David and Aldrech Ramos against Estonia as each team is limited to a 12-man roster.
Calvin Abueva, the 6-foot-1 power forward many see as too small for international play, proved his worth right away by coming off the bench to lead the Filipinos with 12 points and six rebounds.
Gilas, which used its outside shooting to beat South Korea in the Fiba Asia semifinals in Manila two years ago and take an overtime win over Senegal in the Fiba World Cup in Spain last year, made just four of 23 triple attempts on Thursday to go down in flames.
Blatche, who is still out of game shape after going inactive for at least four months since March, shot eight points and had 12 rebounds.
Asi Taulava, the ageless veteran, hauled down eight rebounds with Jason Castro shooting eight points. Musong R. Castillo