Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Before a hostile crowd at the Changsha Social Work College gymnasium in Changsha, China, Gilas Pilipinas displayed resilience against the favored Chinese in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship finals on Saturday (October 3).
But the Filipinos still fell prey to the host-country China, 78-67, in a game that had no less than the continent’s lone ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil at stake.
And in their gallant stand against the Chinese, naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche stood the tallest.
Despite being hounded by foul trouble, Blatche threw his weight around and finished with 17 points against tournament MVP and former National Basketball Association (NBA) teammate Yi Jianlian.
Jayson William, however, hardly made an impact but was named the best point guard in Asia for the second time.
Gilas actually rolled on to a 15-10 start, but an 8-to-nothing surge by the Chinese changed the complexion of the game.
In control for the most part, China led by as much as 16 points, but Gilas tried to keep in step.
In fact, the Filipinos sliced the lead to 10 entering the final quarter, 60-50.
But a quick five points by the Chinese to open the payoff period buried Gilas for good.
