PERTH, Western Australia –An undermanned Gilas Pilipinas went down to a crushing defeat to Australia 92-49 on Monday night, their lowest scoring output ever in the FIBA Asian Qualifiers.
Gilas coach Tim Cone did not mince words describing the loss as “embarassing” as the Philippines capped a winless run in the Third Window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Playing without injured star Justin Brownlee, Gilas fell to an Aussie side led by NBA standout Tyrese Proctor and three-time NBL Most Valuable Player Bryce Cotton. Gilas struggled to find their rhythm all throughout the match shooting 18 of 64 from the field, the only bright side coming in the second quarter when they outscored the Boomers 11-8.
Dwight Ramos, limited to a 4 of 16 shooting clip, led the Gilas with 9 points while Junmar Fajardo and Kevin Quiambao added 8 apiece as the Filipinos were limited to their lowest output in years.
Bryce Cotton, who led the Boomers with 21 points, drilled in three of his 13 first quarter points from beyond the arc to lead the Boomers to a 33-14 lead after the first period. After a close 8-all standoff with Keevin Quiambao waxing hot early with a pair of treys, the Boomerss dropped a scorching 16-0 run to jump ahead 24-8. The Aussies were able to keep Gilas at bay with a stiffling full court press that resulted to a couple of turnovers. The first quarter ended with the Aussies on top 33-14.
It was a different story altogether in the second period as the Philippines held the Boomers to just 8 points as Junmar Fajardo made his presence felt in the paint. Dwight Ramos opened with back to back baskets before the 6-9 Fajardo fished Boomer fouls as he imposed his way against Josh Bannan and Mitch Creek.
The veteran Fajardo scored 8 points from the free throw line to push Gilas to within 35-22 with 3:45 left in the second period as the Boomers were limited to a measly 2 points. Bryce Cotton could only do a pair of free throws as Gilas tightened on defense.
The Boomers emerged from the locker room at halftime making the right adjustments as NBA player Tyrese Proctor took over in the third. Gilas struggled with their shooting as the usually steady Ramos and Quiambao could not find their range.
“We were shocked from in the second half,” Cone said in the post-match press conference. Not even Brownlee’s presence if he was fit, he said, could save them from the Boomers. “For sure it’s not gonna be worth 40 points.”
