Gilas repeats over Ukraine U20 team

July 3 ------ Gilas Pilipinas repeated against Ukraine’s U20 team, scoring an 84-74 victory in their second tune-up game in the wee hours of Monday, July 3, in Kaunas, Lithuania. Just like in the first encounter, the Nationals took some time to get their bearings going and shake off the young but tall Ukrainian team to take their second win in its European buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Justin Brownlee led the way for Gilas with 21 points and eight rebounds while CJ Perez added 14 points. Dwight Ramos and June Mar Fajardo chipped in nine apiece while Chris Newsome returned to the lineup after missing the first game due a bruised knee. Still on the sideline during the contest was AJ Edu (ankle) and Scottie Thompson (back).

It was an overall better showing for Gilas as compared to its 70-61 win in their first game which head coach Chot Reyes branded as their "worst game" so far during the trip. The Nationals did have a better first half scoring as compared to the first meeting but were only up by three at the half, 45-42, thanks to a Brownlee triple to end the second frame.

It was not until the third frame when Gilas managed to build some separation when it took a 10-point lead, 65-55, towards the end of the period. The Filipinos then asserted their experience and kept the Ukrainians at bay, even padding the lead to its largest at 14 points, 74-60 early in the final frame.

Source: mb.com.ph

Editor's note:

The Gilas Pilipinas Women concluded their gallant run in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2023 in sixth place, after an 80-71 defeat to South Korea in the classification phase, Saturday in Sydney, Australia. The Gilas Women kept in step with South Korea in the early goings and even led, 19-18, after the opening period. South Korea pulled away in the second frame, out-scoring the Philippines 26-15 to build a 44-34 cushion at the break. But the Gilas Women showed no quit and came within three points, 71-68, midway through the final quarter before running out of steam. The Gilas Women's sixth place finish is their highest ever since they were promoted to Division A of FIBA Asia. The Philippines placed seventh in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 editions of the tournament.

China denied Japan's bid for a sixth straight crown in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, holding on for a 73-71 triumph in the final on Sunday. Australia placed third and New Zealand fourth.