The young Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 3×3 squad could not overcome a slow start, falling to Thailand in a historic loss, 11-14, to open their 2019 FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup Qualifiers campaign, Wednesday in Changsha, China.
It was a tough loss for the young Filipinos, as this was the Philippines’ first-ever defeat to their Southeast Asian neighbors in 3×3 competition.
Moreover, Gilas 3×3 fell to 0-1 in the Qualifying Draw A, where only have one team advance to the Asia Cup proper on Friday.
The Philippines figured in an early deficit, falling behind 4-10.
Making matters worse, Ricci Rivero was sidelined for the last three minutes of the contest. He hurt his right ankle after trying to crash the board.
Rivero ended up with three points.
The trio of Rhayyan Amsali, RJ Abarrientos, and Barkley Ebona cut the lead to just two, 10-12, with 1:46 remaining.
Chatpol Chungyampin and Sukhdave Ghogar then powered their way to the paint for the breakaway buckets to complete the upset. Ghogar was the high-point man for the Thais with five.
Abarrientos led the way for the Philippines with four markers.
Gilas 3×3 will next face Qatar at 1:30pm.
The Scores:
Philippines 11 – Abarrientos 4, Rivero 3, Ebona 2, Amsali 2.
Thailand 14 – Ghogar 5, Lakhan 4, Korsah-Dick 3, Chungyampin 2.
