The Philippine national basketball team suffered a huge blow in the opening game of the FIBA Asia 2015 championship after they were defeated by a more determined Palestinian team. Gilas Pilipinas was defeated by Palestine with the final score at 75-73.
Gilas Pilipinas blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and lost to tournament first-timer Palestine who relied mostly in one of their most popular basketball star, Sani Sakakini.
The 6-foot-8 forward who is known as a veteran Middle East basketball star, Sani Sakakini made the game-winning basket, converting a three-point play with just 15.8 seconds left.
NBA veteran and the Philippines naturalized center Andray Blatche put Gilas back in front with 73-72 but the effort made by Sakakini really broke the hearts of the Filipinos.
Palestine’s Jamal Abu Shamala led Palestine with 26 points, including back-to-back triples that gave Palestine their first taste of the lead after playing catch up against the Filipinos.
Gilas Pilipinas looks to redeem itself against Hong Kong on Thursday as the preliminary round of the FIBA Asia 2015 Championships continues.