Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) — Gilas Pilipinas bowed to Mexico in its third and final tune-up game before the FIBA World Cup.
Playing minus NBA star Jordan Clarkson, the national team lost, 84-77, at the PhilSports Arena on Monday, Aug. 21.
Gilas ended the series of friendly matches with one win and two losses.
Scottie Thompson scored 14 points, but no other Gilas player finished with double figures.
RR Pogoy and Dwight Ramos each had nine points, Jamie Malonzo and Kai Sotto added eight markers each, Kiefer Ravena got seven, June Mar Fajardo and Chris Newsome had six, CJ Perez got four, while Japeth Aguilar and Edu each delivered three.
Clarkson requested a break after playing the entire first half and the first four minutes of the third quarter in the Philippines’ 85-62 victory over FIBA Africa qualifier Ivory Coast last Friday.
Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio dispelled fears the Utah Jazz star Clarkson had suffered an injury.
“Nothing like that. He really just wanted to rest,” he said.
“Kailangan lang niya ng pahinga [He just needed to rest],” Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes added.
Pako Cruz led Mexico with 18 points, including four triples, Paul Stoll added 17 with five treys, Fabian Jaimes had 15, while Josh Ibarra had 12 with nine rebounds.
The Mexicans went 13-of-24 from beyond the arc compared to Gilas Pilipinas’ 7-of-23.
The Nationals will go up against the Dominican Republic – led by NBA star center Karl-Anthony Towns – when the global showpiece kicks off Friday, Aug. 25, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
