BOCAUE, Bulacan — The Philippines put up a brave stand before losing 81-87 to Dominican Republic in the FIBA World Cup 2023 at the Philippine Arena here Friday.

In a tight and exciting game watched by a record crowd of 38,115 that included President Marcos himself, the Filipinos came up just a few shots short of pulling off a king-sized upset in the world’s biggest basketball stage and fell to the world No.23 Dominican Republic and its three-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.

The beginning of end for the hard-fighting and never-day die Filipinos started when former NBA “Sixth Man of the Year” awardee Jordan Clarkson was called for an offensive foul on Victor Liz and fouled out of the game with still 3:21 remaining.

But even without Clarkson on the floor, the Filipinos stayed 8n the fight at 79-81 on a split by AJ Edu.

Liz, however pushed the lead back to 83-79. Lester Quinones followed it up with a split from the free throw line and Jean Montero came with a layup

It was a tight battle from beginning to end.

The Filipinos even led, 72-69, following a pair of free throws by Clarkson.

But back-to-back three-point shots by Andres Feliz and Antonio Pena put the Dominican Republic ahead, 75-72, with six minutes left.

Before fouling out of the game, Clarksson was clearly the man of the hour for the Filipinos.

The 6-5 Utah Jazz star finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assist in another all-around performance.

Clarkson struck hardest in the second quarter as he scored 14 points to keep the Filipinos’ upset hopes alive.

Six-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo backstopped Clarkson with 16 points and seven rebounds in nearly 29 minutes, while Edu added seven points and five rebounds.

NBA hopeful Kai Sotto played only one minute and 13 seconds, picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and was not fielded back to the game.

Towns. Dominican Republic’s “Tower of Power:, led the way with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The 7-0 forward-center of the Minnesota Timberwolves had two free throws and a hook shot after Clarkson fouled out to give his team an 81-76lead.

Liz contributed 18 points and six rebounds.

The Filipinos, however, found some consolation in setting a new FIBA record for most gate attendance in a World Cup game.

A total of 38,115 fans witnessed the game, surpassing the previous high of 32,616 set during the 1994 FIBA World Cup finals between the United States and Russia in Canada.

Dominican Republic will meet fellow opening-day winner Italy at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippines will battle Angola at 8 p.m. on Sunday also at the same venue.

World No. 10 Italy defeated Angola, 81-67; earlier in the day.

In other results, Australia routed Finland, 98-72, and Gemany demolished host Japan, 81-63, at the Okinawa Arena in Japan; Montenego crushed Mexico, 91-71, and Lithunia overwhelmed Egypt, 93-67, at the Mall of Asia Arena; and Latvia humbled Lebanon, 109-70, and Canada dumped France, 95-66, at the Jakarta Arena in Indonesia

The scores:

Dominican Republic (87) – Towns 26, Liz 18, Feliz 12, Montero 6, Delgado 6, Peña 5, Vargas 5, Figueroa 5, Mendoza 2, Quiñones 2, Solano 0, Suero DNP.
…Philippines (81) – Clarkson 28, Fajardo 16, Ramos 13, Edu 7, Pogoy 6, Thompson 5, Ravena 2, Abando 2, Aguilar 2, Sotto 0, Malonzo 0.
.Quarterscores: 22-18; 42-42; 66-64; 87-81.