Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
Gilas Pilipinas finished winless in its string of scrimmages after falling to Lebanon, 71-60, Sunday night at Meralco Gym.
The Filipinos dropped to 1-3 in their tune-up games, bowing to Jordan in their first meeting then. won the second encounter before coming up short at the hands of Lebanon for the second time in three nights.
Ater Majok, Lebanon’s naturalized center, was a force on both ends as he gave the Philippines fits with his size, length and ability to control the pain.
The 6-foot-10 Majok was instrumental in Lebanon’s 10-0 blast late in the fourth that turned the tide back to their side after Gilas pulled within three.
The game also marked the first time 16-year-old Kai Sotto suited up after missing the first three exhibitions to prioritize his studies at Ateneo.
Sotto started the third quarter and finished with two points on two free throws after he was fouled by Majok on a two-handed dunk attempt that would’ve brought the house down had it went in.
Gilas is preparing for its campaign in the fifth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers which begins with a pair of home games against Kazakhstan on November 30 and Iran on December 3.