NOT even the efforts of Joshua Munzon could save the Philippines from staying in the hunt for Tokyo slots in the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria. FIBA PHOTO
PH 3×3 squad falter in Graz
THE Philippines bowed to Dominican Republic, 11-22, to end its hopes of making it to Tokyo in the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament last night in Graz, Austria.
Ranged against a squad which has no top 1,000 players in the world, the Filipinos struggled as their Carribean foes raced to a 12-5 advantage and never looked back to keep its slim hopes alive of making it to the Olympics.
Winless in three Group C matches, the Philippines was about to wrap up its stint in the continental qualifers against France last night.
The Filipinos, composed of top-ranked Joshua Munzon, CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa and Santi Santillan, absorbed consecutive defeats to Qatar and Slovenia in last Wednesday’s opener.
After a 12-21 loss to the Qataris in the opener, the Filipinos played much better but still suffered a lopsided 11-21 setback from the hands of the Slovenians.
The Philippines have an average losing margin of 10 points in the tournament.
Dominican Republic improved to 1-2.
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