Gilas Pilipinas suffered a 72-64 setback in their overseas game against Senegal on Friday night.
The nationals were not able to contain Senegal’s searing 15-4 blitz in the fourth quarter in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, China.
It was the Filipinos’ first defeat in the pocket tournament.
Gilas was still leading by two, 57-55, following successive shots by AJ Edu. But Senegal came up with a comeback and took total control of the game in the final two minutes.
June Mar Fajardo led Gilas with 14 points, while CJ Perez and Dwight Ramos got 11 points each.
With the victory, the Senegalese tallied their second win in the tourney. Like the Filipinos, Senegal also beat Iran.
Earlier, the nationals cruised past the Iranian team B, 76-65, with Jaime Malonzo and Dwight Ramos leading the way.
The overseas competition is part of Gilas Pilipinas’ final preparations for the FIBA World Cup.
