![Gilas Philippines vs Puerto Rico: Final Score, Video Highlights, Recap for Pilipinas FIBA World Cup Game [Updated]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F09%2F03%2F454536216-700x420.jpg&w=1200&q=100)
Gilas Pilipinas was close once again but could not beat Puerto Rico and lost 77-73.
It was a must-win for the Philippines, which had been close in its other three games as well but lost all of them.
Gilas cannot advance to the next round, but will still play Senegal on Thursday.
Coach Chot Reyes apologized to fans after the loss, reported GMA.
“We'd like to apologize to Filipino fans and our supporters,” said Reyes.
The coach said that the team’s lack of exposure at this level of play--it’s the first appearance at the World Cup in 36 years--has played a negative role.
“Our inexperience, of my players of myself as a coach, played a role,” he said.
“We fought hard. Effort was there but wasn’t enough.”
Check out the live score updates and video highlights below.
Final Stats
GILAS STATS: The Philippines were led by Andray Blatche’s 25 points and Lewis Tenorio’s 18 points. Paul Lee chipped in 10 points, and Jimmy Alapag and Gabe Norwood each had 6. Blatche had 14 rebounds while Ranidel de Ocampo had 3 assists. Blatche had a team-high six turnovers.
PUERTO RICO STATS: JJ Barea led Puerto Rico with 30 points while Ricky Sanchez and David Huertas added 13 each. Alex Franklin had 9 rebounds while Carlos Rivera had 3 assists.
--Tenorio is fouled on a 3-pointer and makes all three free throws to cut the lead to two points. Puerto Rico calls a timeout.
--Tenorio fouls Ricky Sanchez, who makes both the free throws to go up 77-73.
--William misses a 3-pointer and the game is over. Gilas has lost its fourth straight game and cannot advance to the next round. Gilas will still play on Thursday against Senegal.
Third Quarter
--A slow start to the half with a missed shot from Puerto Rico and a turnover from Blatche--but Blatche draws an offensive foul from Ricky Sanchez.
--Gabe Norwood gets a nice layup to up the lead to 46-39. Barea makes a layup on the other end but Blatche answers at the other end. David Huertas makes a 3-pointer for Puerto Rico. Blatche draws a foul from Ramon Clemente but Gilas turns it over. Barea makes another layup and the lead is 48-46 Gilas with 6:31 left in the quarter.
--William draws a foul and makes two free throws. Tenorio makes two free throws soon after. 52-48 Gilas with five minutes left in the quarter.
First Quarter
--It looks like the same starting lineup for Gilas--Ranidel de Ocampo, Andray Blatche, Jayson William, Lewis Tenorio, and Gabe Norwood.
--Puerto Rico takes the early 6-0 lead off a steal and a couple misses from Gilas--but Tenorio then sinks a 3.
--Renaldo Balkman gets a close shot for Puerto Rico but Tenorio answers with a jumper. 8-5 with 7:40 left in the quarter.
--Blatche makes his first shot to cut into the lead.
--A couple buckets go back and forth, including a nice pass from Blatche to William. 13-11 Puerto Rico with 4:57 left.
--Blatche scores again and then William gets a steal. Paul Dalistan, a recent sub, makes a 3. 16-13 Philippines with 3:44 left.
--Gilas is on a sweet run, hitting another two shots after getting a number of offensive rebounds. 21-13 Gilas.
--Tenorio makes a shot, and after a defensive stop Norwood makes a shot. Back on defense, Blatche blocks Ramon Clemente but misses a 3 on the other end. At the end of the first quarter, Gilas is up 25-13.
STATS: Lewis Tenorio is leading Smart Gilas with 9 points on 4/4 shooting, while Andray Blatche has added 7 and Gabe Norwood has 4. Blatche leads with 5 rebounds while a couple players have 1 assist.
STATS: Ricky Sanchez leads Puero Rico with 6 points while JJ Barea has chipped in 5 but on 2/5 shooting. A couple players have two rebounds while Carlos Rivera has two assists.
-------Original story below.
The Philippines is set to take on Puerto Rico on Wednesday, September 3 in a crucial FIBA World Cup game.
The game is scheduled to tipoff at 7:30 p.m. PHT (7:30 a.m. AST).
It will be broadcast live on TV5 in the Philippines and ESPN Deportes and ESPN3 in the United States.
Live streaming will be available via Solar Sports, Watch ESPN, and LiveBasketball.TV.
Both teams desperately need a win at 0-3. Whichever team wins will still have a chance to make it into knockout play while the losing team will be knockout of contention.
Gilas has come painfully close to upsetting all three of its opponents, especially Croatia and Argentina. But all three games have ended with Gilas on the wrong side.
“It’s painful because the players worked so hard. I thought that we’re happy that we’re fighting, that we’re competing against top 3 team in the world,” coach Chot Reyes said after the team nearly beat Argentina on Tuesday.
“We’re seeing that despite the fact that we’re in this for the first time in so many years, it’s our first time ever here, and despite the fact that we’re undersized, we’re still fighting,” said Reyes. “We’re just disappointed that we couldn’t pull down a win.”
Jimmy Alapag said that the great effort shows that Gilas belongs in the World Cup.
“It’s a once in a lifetime to play against the No. 3 in the world and it’s a game I thought we fought every step of the way …in the game of basketball that’s all you can ask for,” said Alapag.
“Before this tournament started, we want to give ourselve the chance to stick around which we still do. But I think most of if it is we want to get respect from the world. We deserve to be here.”
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