Justin Brownlee’s (No. 32) scoring spree within the second half goes to waste after the Philippines bows to Jordan in nonbearing match. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
So far as no-bearing video games go, this one had stung fairly a bit.
Ask Scottie Thompson, who was apologetic for missed two essential free throws.
“I let numerous Filipinos down tonight,” Thompson mentioned Monday evening.
Gilas Pilipinas rallied laborious within the second half after getting knocked round initially, however did not close the deal in a 91-90 defeat to Jordan on the shut of each nations’ Fiba (Worldwide Basketball Federation) World Cup Asian qualifiers stint at Philippine Enviornment.
And people missed freebies by the reigning PBA Most Priceless Participant Thompson proved to be the downfall of the Filipinos, who’re already certified for the basketball showcase in August however are utilizing the qualifiers as a method to construct one of the best squad for the World Cup.
And doubtless study a number of classes as nicely.
“Although we misplaced, we’re positively going to study quite a bit from this,” mentioned Justin Brownlee. “I had numerous pleasure taking part in with the fellows, for the flag and for the Philippines. It’s a life reminiscence.”
Reminder
“I believe lacking these free throws was a great way to remind me that I nonetheless have to enhance,” Thompson, the Barangay Ginebra guard mentioned to be a cinch for a World Cup spot, mentioned. “We got here up brief and we may have gained had it not been for these missed free throws. I had fouls down the stretch, together with one which shocked us. I’ll study from this for certain.”
Scottie Thompson: Largest missed free throws ko sa profession ko. #FIBAWC2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/wlwNuV77rx
— INQUIRER Sports activities (@INQUIRERSports) February 27, 2023
Brownlee fired 41 factors, popping out scorching after the halftime break to fireside up the Filipinos in a blazing comeback that turned a large open recreation right into a you-or-me affair down the stretch.
“You noticed the desire, the power and the struggle on this staff. Filipino basketball is about taking part in with coronary heart and giving all of it you’ve bought and that’s what we did,” the naturalized participant mentioned on the heels of the loss that had the Philippines settling for a 6-4 win-loss card.
“Within the first half, I believe it’s simply our protection. You gotta give Jordan numerous credit score. If we had been in a position to tighten our protection within the first half, the sport would’ve been completely different,” he added.
Jamie Malonzo added 11 for the Philippines.
‘We knew the issue’
Dar Tucker and Freddy Ibrahim joined fingers in a blistering first half the place the Jordanians transformed half of their 24 makes an attempt from three-point land to go up by as many as 25 factors, 41-16.
“We got here right here, we knew that they beat us at house and we knew the issue and why they beat us,” Tucker mentioned. “I’ve bought nothing however respect on each participant on that staff, however we simply concentrated extra and attempt to focus extra on taking pictures. And that’s what we did, we had been profitable at it.”
Unable to attract added power from a crowd visibly thinner than Friday’s attendance in opposition to Lebanon, the Filipinos dug inward as Brownlee and Malonzo narrowed the hole, just for the visiting Falcons flip to Zaid Abbas to stretch the result in 19 getting into the halftime break.
The Philippines recorded 17 triples of their win over Lebanon three nights in the past, however the scorching taking pictures was on the opposite aspect of the court docket within the first two quarters as Jordan drained 12 three-pointers earlier than heading to the locker room with a 60-41 lead.
After Thompson’s missed free throws with 31 seconds remaining and the sport pegged at its last rely, the Philippines nonetheless had an opportunity to show the end result round. However Ray Parks Jr., whose laborious work on each ends of the ground within the second half aided the Gilas rally, missed the potential game-winner.
The Philippines’ subsequent massive match is the Southeast Asian Video games in Cambodia this Might the place the Filipinos hope to reclaim their lofty perch.
Jordan, which bought a free journey to the principle match a number of days in the past, additionally completed with a 6-4 document.
—WITH A REPORT FROM LANCE AGCAOILI
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