Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE, Bulacan — Playing in a must win, the Philippines played its best game but still fell short in a heartbreaking 20-19 loss to Canada in the Fiba 3×3 World Cup at Philippine Arena.
The Filipinos climbed out of an early hole behind the hot shooting of Roger Pogoy.
Pogoy hit a game-high 10 points, including six straight that gave the Philippines an 18-16 edge near the final minute.
The TNT swingman, however, just couldn’t get the potential game-winning long ball to go as the Philippines bows out of contention.
“We are sorry but we’ll try to go out and win this last game for the people,” said Philippines coach Ronnie Magsanoc, whose squad rallied from a 15-10 deficit approaching the final two minutes.
With the game on the line, Canada turned to its guard Michael Linklater, who delivered the go-ahead bucket, 20-19, with three seconds left.
Linklater caused matchup problems for Gilas on the switch with the much bigger and slower Christian Standhardinger covering him. He wound up with nine points.
The Philippines wraps up its campaign against Russia, which has also been eliminated with a 1-2 slate in Pool C.
Canada (3-0) and Mongolia (3-1), who will finish with the two best records in Pool C, have secured their spots in the quarterfinal round.