Gallant stand not enough as Gilas Youth bow to Greece

Gilas Pilipinas Youth bowed to Greece, 85-69, on Saturday in the first day of competitions of the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Heraklion, Greece.

Kai Sotto had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks for Gilas Pilipinas Youth, and Gerry Abadiano also added 13 points for the team but it was not enough as the team fell to 0-1 to start off their campaign in the World Cup.

It was, however, a gallant stand for Gilas Pilipinas Youth.

The Philippines took a 27-20 lead at the end of the first period with the lead even reaching 10 points on free throws by Dave Ildefonso and Dalph Panopiom 22-12. Earlier, Ildefonso led the Philippines to a 13-8 start to the match.

Greece kept the game close in the second quarter with a three-point shot by Nikolaos Arsenopoulous giving the host squad a 28-27 lead. Greece also scored nine straight points after that for a 37-29 advantage.

Gilas Pilipinas Youth responded thanks to baskets by Gerry Abadiano in a seven-point swing to give the team a 41-39 lead, but Greece ended the first half with a triple by Chrysostomos Sandramanis.

Sotto took the cudgels in the third period with six points including a basket that tied the game at 51, but Greece pulled away with five straight points and entered the fourth period with a 63-57 lead.

Gilas Pilipinas still had a manageable deficit in the fourth quarter with Carl Tamayo hitting two free throws to slice the gap to seven points, 76-69, but Greece scored nine consecutive points to end the match.

Gilas also got contributions from Ildefonso, who had 12 points, and Tamayo, who scored 9 points.

Scores:

PHILIPPINES 85 – Sotto 13, Abadiano 13, Ildefonso 12, Tamayo 9, Fortea 7, Spencer 4, Amsali 4, Torres 3, Chiu 2, Panopio 2, Oczon 0, Edu 0.

GREECE 69 – Aresenopolous 18, Sotiriou 16, Chatzidakis 10, Karampelas 10, Arnokouros 9, Bazinas 7, Sandramanis 5, Rogkavopolous 4, Chougkaz 4, Voulgaropolous 2, Georgalas 0.

Quarterscores: 20-27, 42-41, 63-57, 85-69.

PHOTO: FIBA.COM