The Philippine team of Kobe Paras, Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng and JR Quinahan bowed out of the group stage of the 2017 FIBA 3×3 World Cup after finishing third in a tough Pool B on Tuesday in Nantes, France.
The Philippines lost to Slovenia, 21-14, in its first game on Day 4 of the competition before closing out its campaign on a high note, beating El Salvador, 21-14.
The team had earlier beaten Romania, 21-15, and fell short against France, 22-11, in Day 2.
Slovenia, the No. 2 ranked team in the tournament, swept its games to top Pool B with a 4-0 record while home team France finished 3-1. The Philippines was in third at 2-2, but missed the cut with only two squads from each group advancing to the quarterfinal round.
Ravena scored seven points in each of their Day 4 games to pace the team. Teng matched his team-high seven points in the win over El Salvador.
The 19-year-old Paras, after scoring 15 points to finish with the third-highest scoring output of Day 2, mustered only four points against Slovenia and three points against El Salvador.
The Philippines dominated in their victory, at one point taking an eight-point lead, 18-10, before some sloppy play that included a flagrant foul by Teng and a missed alley-oop attempt between Ravena and Paras allowed El Salvador inch closer, 18-14.
But Teng scored inside and Ravena made sure the Filipino fans went home happy with a two-pointer that sealed the win.
