TOP GILAS FANS. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Christopher Lawrence Go share a light moment with members of Gilas Pilipinas as they visit the locker room before watching the Philippines men's national basketball team go up against Italy during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 game at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center in Guangdong Saturday (Aug. 31, 2019). The Philippines suffered 108-62 blowout defeat against world No. 13 Italy squad. (Simon Celi/Presidential photo)
MANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas Men got off to a forgettable start in the FIBA World Cup after getting pummeled by Italy, 108-62, in Foshan on Saturday night.
Right in front of no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, who once joked in a speech that Gilas Men will get mauled by Italy, the latter showed that it is indeed too much for the former, pulling away with a 26-2 run in the middle of the first quarter en route to the 46-point blowout.
Luigi Datome went for a perfect 7-for-7 from the field for 17 points in just barely 16 minutes with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal for Italy.
Danilo Gallinari, an NBA player like Datome, added 16 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Andray Blatche and CJ Perez led Gilas Men, who will face Serbia on Monday night, with 15 points each.
In his first tournament game back after an 18-month suspension by FIBA, Kiefer Ravena only made five points on 2-for-9 shooting and two rebounds with no assist and three turnovers.
The Philippines need to sweep its two remaining games, including against world No. 4 Serbia on Monday (Sept. 2), to stay in the tournament. Gilas’ last assignment in Group D is against Angola. (PNA)
