The Philippine national men’s basketball team struggled to beat Saudi Arabia 78-66 in their opening game of the FIBA Asia Championship.
The Saudis raced to a 16-14 lead in the first quarter, but Gilas Pilipinas managed to take a seven-point lead in at halftime, 35-28.
The Philippines seemed like they were about to break the game open, taking a 16-point lead, 66-50, early in the fourth quarter, but Saudi Arabia hit three straight three-pointers to cut the deficit to just seven points, 66-59. The Philippines managed to see the game out 78-66.
The Philippines’ starting forward and center of Douthit and Marc Pingris finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds and eight points and nine rebounds, respectively. LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier led the scoring for Gilas with 12 points apiece.
The Philippines play Jordan on Friday, August 2nd.
Watch the Philippines make hard work of what was meant to be an easy first game.
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