Shock loss for Gilas Pilipinas | Inquirer Sports

Shock loss for Gilas Pilipinas

Kazakhstan steals crucial ‘away’ victory, puts major dent on PH World Cup bid
By: - Reporter / @MusongINQ
/ 05:43 AM December 01, 2018

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Fluid offensively and gang-defending like crazy, Kazakhstan came to Gilas Pilipinas’ house on Friday night and scored a mammoth 92-88 upset, which hit the Filipinos hard in the standings of the Fiba 2019 World Cup Qualifier.

The Kazakhs whooped it up at Mall of Asia Arena—in front of a huge crowd that seemed to be attending a funeral—as they dealt the Filipinos their fourth loss in nine games in Group F that put a dent on the country’s World Cup bid.

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“Of course, we’re disappointed [with the result], but we still have [a] game on Monday and we can’t feel too negative about ourselves,” said coach Yeng Guiao, whose defense allowed a 12-for-23 clip by the enemy from beyond the arc. “We can still salvage the situation if we play a good game against Iran.”

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And while the Kazakhs were on target from afar, the Filipinos made just 8-for-23 while giving up 34 free throws.

“It was the aggressiveness of the Kazakh team in attacking the basket and drawing those fouls,” Guiao said.

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Alexandr Zhigulin, who came into the game averaging less than seven points, drilled the Filipinos from inside out for 30 built around six triples as Kazakhstan rose to 4-5.

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Tournament format calls for the top three teams from Groups E and F to advance to the World Cup proper together with the best fourth-placed team overall.

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As things stand, the Philippines is tied with Japan at 5-4—third in Group F—and is faced with a must-win against Iran on Monday also at Mall of Asia Arena.

Stanley Pringle led the Filipinos with 29 points, but was a little too individualistic in the stretch.

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June Mar Fajardo scored 14 and Marcio Lassiter was the last player in twin digits for the Philippines with 13.

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TAGS: Gilas Pilipinas, Kazakhstan

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