Gilas Pilipinas takes beating from Japan, misses Fiba Asia Cup quarterfinals

July 20, 2022 Philippines Sports

Gilas Pilipinas bowed out of contention in the 2022 Fiba Asia Cup after suffering a 102-81 loss to Japan in a playoff for a quarterfinal spot Tuesday night at Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The loss meant that the Philippines won’t be in the quarterfinal round of the continental championship for the first time since 2007 in Tokushima, Japan where it placed ninth.

Gilas got off to a slow start and paid the price as Japan built an early double-digit lead and never looked back.

Drawing double-digit scoring from five players, Japan led by as many as 28 points.

“The big deficit in the first quarter was a big problem,” said national team head coach Chot Reyes.

After committing just one turnover in a loss to New Zealand on Sunday, the Philippines struggled to take care of the ball against Japan.