The Philippine national men’s basketball team suffered a 90-77 drubbing at the hands of 3D Global Sports Canada 150 to open its 2017 William Jones Cup campaign on Saturday at the Taipei Peace International Basketball Hall.
Kiefer Ravena top-scored for Gilas Pilipinas with 12 points along with five rebounds, three assists and three steals while Ray Parks added 11 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists in the losing effort.
Gilas Pilipinas suffered a slow start to the game, trailing 14-5 in the first quarter as the team had difficulties holding its own against its longer and taller foes.
But Jio Jalalon scored five straight points to spark a 15-5 run capped by a Mac Belo triple that handed Gilas Pilipinas a 20-19 lead after the opening period.
Gilas Pilipinas however had a dry spell in the second quarter as the squad was hounded by its 16 first half turnovers.
That allowed the Canadian club to launch 12 unanswered points and grab a 44-34 lead at the half.
3D Global Sports went on to assert its might in the third frame, leading by as many as 14 points. Matthew Wright tried to spark a Gilas rally by scoring six straight points to start the fourth period.
But the Canadian club answered with a 7-0 run to grab a commanding 65-50 lead which was too much to overcome for Gilas Pilipinas.
Carl Bryan Cruz also chipped in 10 markers as Wright tallied nine points for Gilas Pilipinas.
Christian Standhardinger left a good impression in his national team debut, collecting nine points and 10 rebounds. Kobe Paras, also in his first senior Gilas call-up, made four points and one block.
Import Mike Myers, however, had a lackluster performance for the squad, scoring seven points on 3-9 shooting and nine boards to go along with four turnovers.
Gilas Pilipinas will next take on host Chinese Taipei A on Sunday.