Stinging losses for Gilas 3X3 teams

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (left) and the Philippines 3×3 squads produced mixed results in the preliminary phase.

The defending champion 3X3 Gilas Pilipinas teams on Friday took first losses in round play, with the men absorbing a 15-13 heartbreaker at the hands of Indonesia and the women faltering in the stretch to bow to host Vietnam in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi.

Looking sharp right off the jump, the Filipino men’s offense conked out when it mattered most, dooming the defending champions to its first-ever loss not only in this edition of the biennial meet but since the sport’s inclusion in the regional conclave.

Battling fatigue and an enemy that was enjoying the crowd’s loud cheers, the Filipino women, meanwhile, blew a 16-12 lead and faltered against Vietnam, 21-18, at Thanh Tri Gymnasium.

The Gilas women had little answer when Vietnam started connecting from long distance, ultimately dooming the defending champions to a 1-1 record early in the race.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jorey Napoles led the way for the men and kept the enemy within reach, 14-13, until the final moments of the game.

Marvin Hayes then made a costly error with 17 ticks remaining, paving the way for another Indonesia basket that ultimately sealed the Filipino’s fate which kept them from securing a perfect outing in the first day of hostilities.

The Gilas men dropped to 2-1.

Indonesia was led by naturalized player Jamarr Johnson and improved to 2-2.

On tap for the Gilas men on Saturday are Singapore (11:40 a.m.), Malaysia (1:20 p.m.) and then host Vietnam (3 p.m.).