Gilas Youth finishes 14th, bows to New Zealand in Fiba U19

Photo from Fiba.com

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Youth ended its campaign with a sorry loss after bowing to New Zealand, 86-72, in the classification stage of the 2019 Fiba Under 19 Basketball World Cup Sunday (Manile time) in Heraklion, Greece.

The Philippines settled for the 14th spot in the tournament with an overall win-loss record of 1-5. Its lone win was at the expense of China, 86-72.

It was a virtual dogfight between the Filipinos and Kiwis in the fourth quarter wherein both teams  until the final minute when New Zealand closed the game on a 9-0 run.

Trailing, 70-67, with 1:28 to play, Flynn Cameron found Oscar Oswald for the 3-pointer that tied the game at 70 with 1:13 left.

Cameron then, drove to the basket to give New Zealand a 72-70 edge with 51 seconds left and he also iced the game by going 4-of-4 at the free throw line in the final six seconds.

Carl Tamayo led the Philippines with 24 points and 12 rebounds while Dalph Panopio and Dave Ildefonso had 16 points apiece.

Cameron finished with 21 points to lead New Zealand, which finished 13th in the tournament, while Max Darling had 16 points and eight rebounds.