Gilas loses to Jordan, faces longer road to Asian Games podium

Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee is guarded by Jordan’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.–ASIAN GAMES POOL

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas missed out on an outright passage into the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball tournament on Saturday, following an 87-62 rout at the hands of Jordan.

The Philippines were held to just 10 points in the payoff frame, having very few answers against the Falcons squad littered with nine players who saw action in the recent Fiba World Cup.

Justin Brownlee had 24 points, while Scottie Thompson logged a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds as Gilas settled for a longer route to the medal rounds.

Gilas Pilipinas guard Scottie Thompson uses a screen set by Japeth Aguilar during a game against Jordan at the Asian Games.–ASIAN GAMES POOL

Gilas, which dropped to No. 2 with a 2-1 win-loss record in Group C, will now battle Qatar on October 2 for the right to play Iran in the quarterfinals.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson lived up to Gilas’ projections, scoring a team-high 24 points. Freddie Ibrahim, a member of the World Cup team, chipped in 17 for the Jordanians, who secured the top spot of the group phase with a perfect 3-0 record.

June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar had eight points each for Gilas.