 |
| Australia pummeled Gilas again. FIBA |
PASIG—Gilas Pilipinas suffered yet another crushing defeat against Australia, this time a 49-92 decision in their FIBA World Cup Qualifiers game on Monday night at the RAC Arena in Perth.
New naturalized player Bryce Cotton became the catalyst of the Boomers' breakaway as he nearly outscored Gilas in the first quarter alone with 13 points as the Australians, after Gilas forced an 8-all deadlock, finished the period on a 25-6 run to open a 33-14 lead.
Gilas somehow found its defensive rhythm in the second quarter, holding Australia to just eight points.
However, Gilas could not capitalize on the solid defense and only had 13 points in the second, and Australia pounced on the Philippine team in the second half to seal the rout.
Cotton finished with 21 points on 7 of 12 field goals, including 5 of 9 on threes, two rebounds, five assists, and two steals for Australia, which will enter the second round of the qualifying phase undefeated at 6-0.
Tyrese Proctor added 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal, while Mitch Creek, the only holdover from the Boomers' win against Gilas at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, had 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Dwight Ramos led Gilas, which fell to 2-4, with nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal, but he was 4 of 16 from the field, including 1-for-8 on threes.
Gilas will host Syria and Iran at the MOA Arena in August to begin its second-round campaign.
An impressive second-round stint is all Gilas needs to still qualify for the FIBA World Cup next year in Qatar.
