Facing a world-class team for the first time in the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 were given a lesson.
The PBA 3×3 boys were manhandled by China, 11-21 (8:24), to close out their pool play campaign in Singapore.
Despite the loss, Gilas 3×3 will still advance to the knockout rounds on Sunday. However, they face a much tougher task as they take on Mongolia.
Dominant was China in the contest, racing to a 13-4 lead behind the outside sniping of Zhao Jiayi and the efficiency of Liu Zeyi.
The lowest the lead got was at six, 15-9, before the Team Dragons machine pushed the pedal. Zhao Jiaren’s sole deuce punctuated China’s sweep of Pool C.
Liu led the way with a game-high nine points on an efficient 7-of-9 clip while Zhao Jiayi added five points and seven rebounds. Zhao Jiaren, meanwhile, got six points and six rebounds.
Horrid was the shooting of the Philippines, going just 9-of-32 from the field, 2-of-10 from deep.
Almond Vosotros and Joseph Eriobu were limited to just three and two points, respectively. Lervin Flores was the topscorer for the Philippines with four.
Earlier, the Philippines also struggled to take down host Singapore.
The Scores:
Philippines 11 — Flores 4, Vosotros 3, De Leon 2, Eriobu 2.
China 21 — Liu 9, Zhao JR 6, Zhao JY 5, Lyu 1.
