Tough loss for the national team.
Even after Gilas beat Iran to start out its Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament stint in China, coach Chot Reyes lamented the team’s poor start and terrible finish and then implored his players to play a more complete game versus Senegal.
His appeals, apparently, didn’t do any good, with Gilas surrendering an 8-0 start to Senegal before playing sloppy basketball for extended periods en route to a 72-64 loss to a Senegalese side that just missed making its third consecutive FIBA World Cup.
Gilas, though, did play well in spurts, ending the first quarter on a 19-10 run, for instance, and forcing Senegal to 7 turnovers in the second frame to win it, 15-13. The national team also built as much as a five-point lead in the third canto behind consecutive baskets from Dwight Ramos and RR Pogoy.
Senegal, however, unleashed a 10-0 run to turn a 45-40 disadvantage to a 50-45 lead before ending the third period with a 56-53 advantage. AJ Edu, who more than held his own against the taller, rangier Senegalese bigs, opened the payoff period with back-to-back baskets to give Gilas back the lead, 57-56, only for Senegal to snatch it right back with a 16-7 windup to the fourth.
June Mar Fajardo, plagued by foul trouble starting in the second quarter, led the way for Gilas, chipping in 14 points and grabbing 7 boards. Ramos, who scored 10 points against Iran on Thursday, added 11 markers, while Jamie Malonzo and Cjay Perez contributed 9 apiece.
Gilas will have an off day on Saturday and will return to action on Sunday against this same Senegal side. The national team will then rematch with Iran on Monday.