By REYNALD MAGALLON
BOCAUE, Bulacan – Gilas Pilipinas dazzled and almost rocked the opening of the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a valiant performance from almost everybody and before a record crowd at the Philippine Arena here on Friday, Aug. 25
But Dominican Republic, living up to its lofty billing, refused to blink and went on to hack out an 87-81 victory and spoil the party that every Filipino had wanted to take part of since the national sports body emerged triumphant in the bidding war.
There was no shortage in drama and action only that the Nationals turned the ball over many times in the crunch that were witnessed by 38,115 people that included President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
Also, the Dominicans were simply too poised in a tense but sometimes rugged encounter, drilling the big baskets before taking full advantage of Jordan Clarkson’s absence in the waning minutes.
Karl-Athony Towns, as expected, stood tall with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds while Victor Liz and Andres Feliz added 18 and 12.
Clarkson remained to be Gilas best scorer despite failing to finish the game with 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists but committed eight of the Filipinos’ 19 turnovers.
Fajardo added 16 points and seven rebounds while Dwight Ramos was the other double-digit scorer with 13.
The Filipinos, who engaged the Dominicans in a back-and-forth duel in three and a half quarters, were ahead, 72-69 early in the final frame before the visiting team nailed back-to-back triples to reclaim the driver’s seat, 75-72.
Despite that, Gilas would remain in thick of the fight until Clarkson was assessed for an offensive foul – his fifth and final foul– with 3:32 left in the contest.
Fajardo tried to carry the fight for Gilas but the Dominican Republic, smelling blood in the final minutes, went for the finishing blow.
Gilas tries to pick up its first win against Angola on Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Angolans, just like Gilas, absorbed an 81-67 setback against the powerhouse Italy.
Over at the Mall of Asia Arena, Montenegro dominated Mexico, 91-71, behind Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic who pumped in 27 points and 10 rebounds. The second game, meanwhile, saw Lithuania rout Egypt, 93-67,
In Okinawa, Australia romped Finland, 92-78, while Germany routed host Japan, 81-63. Latvia, on the other hand, cruised to a 109-70 victory over Lebanon in Jakarta, Indonesia.
