Justin Brownlee’s goal in the second half was wasted after the Philippines bowed to Jordan in a tireless game. —August DELA CRUZ
For non-load-bearing games, this game has caused quite a bit of pain.
Ask Scottie Thompson, who apologized for missing two crucial free throws.
“I let a lot of Filipinos down tonight,” Thompson said Monday night.
Gilas Pilipinas bounced back strongly in the second half after being knocked down at the beginning, but failed ended the deal in defeat 91-90 arrived in Jordan at the conclusion of the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) Asian World Cup qualifiers for both countries taking place at the Philippine Arena.
And miss gifts by reigning PBA Player of the Year Thompson proved a flop for the Filipinos, who had already qualified for the basketball showcase in August but are using qualifying as a vehicle for team building Best picture for World Cup.
And perhaps also learned a few lessons.
Justin Brownlee said: “Even though we lost, we will definitely learn a lot from this. “I had a lot of fun playing with the boys, for the flag and for the country of the Philippines. It is a memory of a lifetime.
Reminder
“I think missing those free throws is a good way to remind me that I still have to improve,” said Thompson, the Barangay Ginebra keeper who is believed to be a sure-fire contender for a World Cup spot. . “We played short and we could have won if it weren’t for those missed free throws. I’ve been fouling for a long time, including one that took us by surprise. I will definitely learn from this.
Scottie Thompson: The most missed free throw of my career ko. #FIBAWC2023 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/wlwNuV77rx
– INQUIRER sports (@INQUIRERsports) February 27, 2023
Brownlee scored 41 points, ecstatic after halftime to ignite the Filipinos in a brilliant comeback that turned an open game into a lifelong friendship-me.
“You have seen the will, the energy and the fighting in this team. Philippine basketball is about playing with all your heart and giving everything you have and that’s what we did,” the naturalized player said after the loss that saw the Philippines accept the score 6-4.
“In the first half, I think it was just us defending. You have to give Jordan a lot of credit. If we could have tightened the defense in the first half, the game would have been different,” he added.
Jamie Malonzo added 11 for the Philippines.
‘We already know the problem’
Dar Tucker and Freddy Ibrahim shook hands in an explosive first half, where the Jordanians converted half of their 24 attempts from 3-point land to 25, 41-16.
“We come here, we know they beat us at home and we know the problem and why they beat us,” Tucker said. “I have nothing but respect for every player on that team, but we were just more focused and trying to focus more on shooting. And that’s what we did, we succeeded.”
Unable to draw more energy from a crowd that was clearly thinner than against Lebanon on Friday, the Filipinos dropped deep while Brownlee and Malonzo closed the gap, only when the away team’s Falcons moved on. Zaid Abbas to extend the lead to 19 at halftime.
The Philippines scored 17 trebles in their win over Lebanon three nights ago, but a heated shootout took place across the pitch in the first two innings as Jordan snuffed out 12 three-pointers before entering the dressing room with the score. 60-41 lead.
After Thompson’s missed free-throw with 31 seconds remaining and the game’s final scoreline, the Philippines still had a chance to turn things around. But Ray Parks Jr., who worked hard at both ends of the floor in the second half to support Gilas’ rally, missed out on a potential game winner.
The Philippines’ next major tournament is the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia this May, where the Filipinos hope to reclaim their lofty position.
Jordan, the team that qualified for the main tournament a few days ago, also finished with a 6-4 record.
—WITH REPORT FROM LANCE AGCAOILI
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