MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas failed to capitalize on a promising start, succumbing to a determined Argentina side in a thrillingly close game, 85-81, to remain winless in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain early Tuesday.
Trailing by just two in the game's closing seconds, 81-83, Gilas turned to Jayson Castro, who was whistled for a travelling violation after a failed three attempt.
The Filipinos had the best start of the tournament, erecting a 12-2 lead early in the first quarter that was the result of a superb ball movement and even with the absence of Andray Blatche.
Blatche went into foul trouble early in the opening quarter and had to be benched, but Gilas stood its ground without him as Ranidel De Ocampo took the scoring chores with some triples.
Argentina though came back strong in the second half courtesy of baskets by Andres Nocioni and Luis Scola to wrest the lead.
Jimmy Alapag put Gilas back in the fight by hitting triples in the deciding quarter, including one with over two minutes left that brought the Philippines to within one, 81-82.
But it wasn’t enough for the Filipinos to stun the World No. 3-ranked team, who pulled off an excellent defensive play on that Castro 3-attempt that resulted in a turnover for Gilas.
Nocioni sealed the win for Argentina by calming sinking two free throws for the final count.
Gilas Pilipinas will try to end the drought against a struggling Puerto Rico team on Wednesday night.