THE Philippines yielded to Italy, 90-83, on Tuesday night to wind up winless in the group stage of the FIBA World Cup and is now left with one remaining goal in the tournament—be the best-placed Asian team to clinch an automatic berth to next year’s Paris Olympics.
The Italians, who’re No. 10 in the world, were clinical in fashioning out the victory over their 40th-ranked opponents before a big crowd of 11,281 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Italy went lethal from the three-point zone where made went 17 of 41 attemtps to the Philippines’ 10 of 29 tries.
Alejandro Pajola was the dead shot from downtown as he went 3 of 4 to finish with 11 points for Italy, which finished 2-1 won-lost in Group A and join the Dominican Republic in the next round.
Dominican Republic went unbeaten in three games following a 75-67 victory over Angola also Tuesday at the Big Dome.
“I am very proud of the effort of my players, what a way to fight coming from those two painful losses,” Gilas coach Chot Reyes said. “They still showed up and gave their all against the top 10 team in the world. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Jordan Clarkson again led the Philippines with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists with Dwight Ramos making 14 points and Roger Pogoy nine points for the hosts.
AJ Edu added eight points and eight rebounds, while Rhenz Abando has more minutes this time and contributed eight points.
With that win eluding Gilas Pilipinas in the group stage, the goal is now to finish head of the five other Asian teams to nail that bonus ticket to Paris.
Japan already won one game, 98-88, in Group E over Finland in Okinawa on Sunday, while China, Iran and Jordan have yet to nail their first victories.
Clarkson’s Utah Jaz teammate Simone Fontecchio led the Italians with 18 points while Giampaolo Ricci added 14 points.
“We just came here to win and that’s the most important thing,” guard Marco Spissu told reporters. “It really feels great to win and advance to the second round. It was good that we’re helping each other in defense.”
Spissu added 13 points and nine assists while Stefano Tonut also made 13 points for Italy.
“I have 12 amazing guys and I love each of them. This is not an easy group but they continued to keep playing well,” said Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, who is expecting to face Serbia in the second round. You [Philippines] lost three straight games, but you fought for it.”
Pozzecco later told a post-game television interview that he missed world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who was expected to be at the Big Dome to cheer for the nationals.
The Italians were challenged in the first quarter until their three-point shooting went to work to control the game.
Gilas made several runs but couldn’t get closer than 88-81 when on Jamie Malonzo’s layup with 1:43 left.
Clarkson missed a floater in the 1:07 mark and Kiefer Ravena’s trey missed at crunch time.
“There’s a reason why they are the No. 10 team in the world. They cannot play lackluster for the second straight game,” said Ravena, who finished with eight points.
“Tough game but we competed and gave our best efforts,” Clarkson said.
The Azzuri leaned on Fontecchio’s seven points in the second quarter to recover from a sluggish first quarter and get on driver’s seat in the second period where they outscored the Filipinos in, 28-16, to for a 48-39 at the halftime.
Clarkson’s 4-of-11 shooting from the field for 10 points at the half was supported by Abando’s efficient 3-of-3 shooting for eight points.
Gilas will face either South Sudan or China from Group B in the classification round on Thursday also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.