Coming off a high against Iran’s B squad yesterday, Gilas Pilipinas were given a reality check by Senegal.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup hosts fell to world No. 37 Senegal, 72-64, to fall to 1-1 in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Friday at the Jiangman En Ping Sport Gymnasium.
Senegal did not qualify for the global meet despite being one of the highest-ranked African teams in the world.
Still, the Lions are preparing for the 2024 Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Gilas were on the verge of scoring the win before things went sour on offense for the Filipinos.
The Philippines was up 57-56 before going cold from the field while allowing Senegal to shoot bombs from deep to take a 70-61 lead late in the contest.
June Mar Fajardo paced Gilas with 14 points and seven rebounds while Dwight Ramos and CJ Perez got 11 apiece. Jamie Malonzo added nine markers.
Rhenz Abando and AJ Edu, the heroes in their win against Iran B, combined for just nine points in the contest.
Senegal, who remained perfect at 2-0, was led by Youssou Ndoye who had 16 points.
Young gun Ousmane Ndiaye got 15 points while Lamine Sambe chipped in 11 markers.
This is a good test for Gilas who will face world no. 41 Angola in their second game in the World Cup.
The two squads will once again face off on Sunday, this time at Heyuan Sport Gymnasium.
The Scores:
Philippines 64 – Fajardo 14, Ramos 11, Perez 11, Malonzo 9, Abando 5, Edu 4, Ravena K. 3, Ravena T. 2, Newsome 2, Pogoy 2, Parks 1, Aguilar 0, Oftana 0.
Senegal 72 – Ndoye 16, Ndiaye 15, Sambe 11, Badio 9, Boissy 7, Diop P. 4, Camara 3, Fall 3, Diop D. 2, Sylla 2, Faye 0.
Quarterscores: 19-22, 34-35, 53-56, 64-72.
