Batang Gilas suffers heartbreaking setback vs Argentina

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines blew its best chance for a victory and fell to host Argentina via a heartbreaking 71-74 defeat Wednesday at the end of the classification round of the FIBA Under-17 World Cup at the Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina.

It was Batang Gilas’ third straight defeat and finished winless and at the bottom of Group D, but it was the closest they got to stealing a win following lopsided defeats to the Croatians, 75-97, Sunday and the French, 54-95, Monday.

Although the Filipinos have yet to pick up a win, they will still play in the knockout round-of-16 against Group C top seed and World No. 2 Canada since all 16 participating countries were ensured spots in the playoff phase.

And now the Philippines hopes and prays for a miracle in its showdown with Canada early Thursday.

Terrence Fortea, Gerry Abadiano and Kai Sotto led the Philippines with 17, 17 and 13 points, respectively, and each had a chance to knot the count or send the game in overtime had one of them converted their three-point attempt late in the game.

It was the first win for the Argentines, ranked eighth in the world, against two setbacks.

After a disappointing first two games, Batang Gilas came out firing and even led, 54-52, late in the third period.

The Philippines, however, couldn’t keep up and lost team in the end.

The scores:

Philippines 71 – Fortea 17, Abadiano 17, Sotto 13, Calimag 9, Tamayo 6, Padrigao 3, Lazaro 2, Guadana 2, Cortez 2, Andrada 0, Pascual 0, Chiu 0.

Argentina 74 – Fernandez 15, Paz 11, Cavallin 10, Diaz 9, Bertona 8, Scacchi 7, Copes 4, Chapero 3, Varisco 3, Bressan 2, Milovich 2, Lugarini 0.

Quarterscores: 20-13; 36-32; 58-56; 74-71.