Gilas Pilipinas fell to an eight-man, pro-laden Lithuania squad, bowing 80-90, on early Wednesday morning (Manila time) in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Despite a slow start and a significant deficit, the resilient Gilas players showcased their determination as they made an impressive comeback attempt.
Gilas encountered a challenging start to the game, with Lithuania dominating the first quarter, leaving the Philippine team trailing 36-19.
During the second quarter, Gilas showed flashes of their potential, narrowing the gap between the two teams. Despite regaining some momentum, the relentless Lithuanian side managed to maintain control, ensuring a comfortable lead heading into halftime.
As the third quarter progressed, Lithuania extended its advantage, with the score reaching 78-59.
The Filipinos refused to back down and mounted a fierce rally in the final period.
With commendable efforts from Justin Brownlee and Jamie Malonzo, the Filipino team fought tooth and nail to bridge the gap and make the contest more closely contested.
Brownlee exhibited his scoring prowess, contributing 20 points to Gilas’ cause, while Malonzo added 14 points.
June Mar Fajardo contributed 13 points while scored 10 points.
Ange Kouame, who flew out of the country last Sunday, tallied four points in a limited six minutes and 36 seconds of playing time.
Tomas Zdanavicius, a member of Inter Bratislava in the Slovenia league, led the Lithuanian team with an impressive 25-point performance.
Vytautas Sulskis, representing BC Jonava in the Lithuania domestic league, added 19 points, contributing significantly to Lithuania’s victory.
