Gilas Pilipinas succumbs in physical game against Mongolia

BOCAUE, Bulacan – Gilas Pilipinas failed to continue their winning streak as they bowed down to Mongolia, 21-17, in its second game of the 2018 FIBA 3×3 basketball World Cup, Saturday at the Philippine Arena.

Team Philippines started a powerful 9-5 lead following a lay-up by Christian Standhardinger. However, an unsportsmanslike foul called on Troy Rosario gave Mongolians a chance to turn the game around.

Gilas Pilipinas could have made a comeback with only a point deficit, 10-11, but Roger Pogoy was called for another unsportsmanlike foul.

Mongolia answered back with multiple outside shooting that left Gilas Pilipinas behind. Tsenguunbayar Gotov sealed the win with a game-clinching two pointer. He led Mongolia with seven points. Delgernyam Davaasambuu and Tserenbaatar Enkhtaivan each scored six points

With a 1-1 win-loss record in Pool C, Gilas is now tied with Mongolia and Russia. Meanwhile, Canada is atop with 2-0 record, while Brazil fell to the bottom with a 0-2 slate.

Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

The scores:

MONGOLIA 21 — Gotov 7, Davaasambuu 6, Enkhtaivan 6, Enkhbat 2.

PHILIPPINES 17 — Pogoy 6, Pringle 4, Rosario 4, Standhardinger 3.