HOST Philippines battled Angola on even terms despite another forgettable night of three-point shooting before losing 70-80 in their make-or-break encounter in the FIBA World Cup 2023.
Former NBA “Sixth Man of the Year” awardee Jordan Clarkson went 7-of-22 from the floor and the Filipinos struggled with only 4-of-22 shooting from the long court in a disappointing performance that left them as the only winless team in Group A.

Gilas’ big men June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu and Kai Sotto were also slowed down by Angola’s stiffling defense as the Filipinos blew a double-digit lead and yielded to the hard-fighting Angolans.

Two days after a solid, all-around effort in the Filipinos’ 81-87 loss to Dominican Republic last Friday, Clarkson again led Gilas with 21 pointts and seven assists in 38 minutes of action.

But no other Gilas players managed to score in double figures with Edu finishing nine points and Sotto, Dwight Ramos and Roger Pogoy adding eight points apiece.

Fajardo, who put up a brave stand against three-time NBA All Star Karl-Anthony Towns of Dominican Republic, was held to only four points by the Angolans infront of 12,784 spectators that included government officials and sports and showbiz personalities and former Gilas players.

Angola had five players scoring in double digits with Gerson Goncalves leading the way with 17 points, including 4-of-8 from behind the arc in 32 minutes of action, and Domingos adding 15 points and seven assists to notch their first win.

NBA veteran Bruno Fernando had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Jilson Bango and Silvo De Sousa chipped in with 10 points each.

It was a sorry loss for the Philippines, which was ranked higher than Angola coming into the event.

The setback also means the Filipinos will also not be advancing to the second round of the 32-team competition.

Earlier, Dominican Republic leaned on Towns and Andres Feliz to stun World No. 10 Italy, 87-82, and advance to the second round.

Towns, who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, finished with 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting, 11 rebounds and five assists while hot-shooting Feliz fired 24 points with even triples.

Marco Spissu led the losing effort of the Italians with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

NBA player Simone Fontecchio and Giampaolo Ricci had 13 and 12 points, respectively.

In the other games, Montenegro subdued Egypt, 89-74 and Lithuania routed Mexico, 96-66, at the Mall of Asia Arena. In Pasay City.

In Okinawa, Germany shocked Australia, 85-82, and Japan subdued Finland, 98-88.

Canada demolished Lebanon, 128-73 and Latvia shocked France, 88-86, in Jakarta.

The scores
Angola (80)– Goncalves 17, Domingos 15, Fernando 14, Bango 10, De Sousa 10, Dundao 4, Kokila 4, Francisco 3, Paulo 2, Monteiro 1, Fernandez 0, Maconda 0. Philippines (70) – Clarkson 21, Edu 9, Pogoy 8, Ramos 8, Sotto 8, Perez 7, Fajardo 4, Ravena 3, Abando 2, Aguilar 0, Malonzo 0, Thompson 0. Quarterscores: 19-12, 36-22, 56-52, 80-70.