The Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas ends their Asian Games campaign with a win over Mongolia on Wednesday in Incheon with the final score at 84-68. The men’s basketball team is now officially ranked at Seventh spot in the Asian Games, the lowest ever ranked of any Philippine men’s basketball representative to the Asian Games.
The disappointing results for the Philippines is considered as one of the most-hyped stories in the Asian Games history, after the country made a marked by winning the silver medal in the 2013 FIBA Asia and showcasing their skills against world powerhouse basketball teams during the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
The Filipinos really struggled during the start of the game as the Gilas squad was trailing with 16-4 score card in favor of the hot-shooting Mongolians. The Gilas Pilipinas squad then settled down and with successive points ending the first quarter at 21-18.
The Gilas Pilipinas showcased their true basketball form during the second quarter when they outscored the Mongolians 20-9 and took control of the game with 38-30 halftime lead.
During the fourth quarter the Filipinos also made a 10-2 blast opening at the start of the period for 73-57 lead. Talk ‘N Text mainstay Ranidel de Ocampo led the Gilas squad with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while San Miguel Beermen, June Mar Fajardo added with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The team captain of the Gilas Pilipinas, Jimmy Alapag, saw action in his last international game for the Philippines in just 15 seconds of action and he was scoreless but his leadership was visible inside the court.
Watch the Highlights Video of Gilas vs. Mongolia:
Note: Highlights will be added as soon as available online
