Filipinos fall victim to Brazilians’ 24-6 third quarter tear

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PHOTO: FIBA

GILAS Pilipinas’ bid for a spot in Paris 2024 came to an end on Saturday after bowing to Brazil, 71-60, in the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.

The nationals went on an untimely third quarter drought where it was outscored, 24-6, giving the world No. 12 a 51-39 lead heading into the final canto.

Gilas Pilipinas' Justin Brownlee

That offensive slump was too much to overhaul for the Filipinos, ending their Cinderella campaign in the FIBA OQT that saw them beat world No. 6 Latvia in the opener on their way to a place in the semifinal.

Gilas was still leading 33-27 at the half, but things began to unravel when Brazil had an 8-3 run to close the second quarter after being down, 30-19.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone admitted it was difficult to watch the third quarter from the sidelines where they were firing blanks.

“It’s funny, we didn’t expect to be here. But when we got here, we expect to win,” said Cone. “It’s very painful that we didn’t especially after having the halftime lead and coming out and going on a 14-0 run on us to start the third quarter.

“It was painful to watch,” Cone added.

Justin Brownlee had 15 points to yet again show the way for the Filipinos, but struggled with just three in the second half, while Dwight Ramos had 13, but shot 5-of-12 from the field.

June Mar Fajardo had 10 points and 11 rebounds, as San Miguel teammate CJ Perez had 10 points, three assists, and two steals for the Philippines.

The scores:

Brazil 71 – Caboclo 15, Huertas 13, Dias 10, De Paula 8, Santos 8, Meindl 7, Louzada 3, Santos 3, Benite 2, Felicio 2.

Philippines 60 – Brownlee 15, Ramos 13, Fajardo 10, Perez 10, Newsome 5, Aguilar 4, Tamayo 3, Quiambao 0.

Quarters: 12-22; 27-33; 51-39; 71-60.

Kai Sotto didn’t play in the game due to the injury he sustained against Georgia, but his absence initially didn’t affect Gilas as it built up a lead as high as 12 in the first half.

But Brazil big man Bruno Caboclo finished with 15 points, feasting inside the paint to set the tone for his team in the third quarter where they dropped 14 unanswered points to turn a six-point deficit into a 41-33 advantage.

Brazilian veteran Marcelinho Huertas also had 13 points and made sure the Philippines wouldn’t mount a comeback with critical shots in the fourth period to seize a spot in the final where they will face either host Latvia or Cameroon with a trip to Paris at stake.