Gilas may have ended up winless in Europe, but the important thing for coach Tab Baldwin is the team’s continued development.
The Philippines fell for the third straight time, losing to Iceland, 86-76, to end its campaign in the Toyota Four Nations Cup without a win on Sunday (Manila time) at Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.
Falling behind by 15 early, Baldwin gave the Nationals a mouthful, which seemingly woke up the squad and lit the fire under Terrence Romeo.
The GlobalPort guard then exploded for 15 in the first half to keep Iceland within an arms reach of Gilas.
The Nationals even took a six-point lead in the third, before Iceland unleashed an 18-5 run abridging the last two periods to turn a 53-54 deficit to a 71-59 lead with seven minutes to play.
Gilas still tried to come back in the game and got to as close as five, 78-73 with a Jayson Castro drive in the last 1:40, but an illegal pick whistled on Sonny Thoss and booming threes down the stretch for Iceland staved off the late Gilas rally.
The Nationals returns to the country on Monday to prepare for the Jones Cup in Taiwan.