Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas suffered a disappointing 85-75 beating at the hands of Adelaide in their final tune-up game before the 2019 Fiba Basketball World Cup Sunday at Meralco Gym.
The 36ers went on a 20-2 run to end the first quarter that proved to be enough foundation for them to build on until the final buzzer.
Eric Griffin then, gave Adelaide a 20-point lead, 58-38, midway through the third quarter.
Gilas tried to answer back in the fourth with a 10-4 run capped off by Andray Blatche’s three to cut the deficit to eight, 80-72, with 2:11 to play.
The game also marked the much-awaited return of guard Kiefer Ravena from an 18-month Fiba-imposed suspension.
Ravena was worth the wait, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field.
The Nationals beat the 36ers in their first meeting, 92-83, on Friday.