Gilas Pilipinas' comeback falls short vs hot-shooting Lebanon in FIBA Asia Cup opener

The Gilas Pilipinas national team couldn't complete its comeback attempt as they absorbed a 95-80 loss to Lebanon to begin its 2022 FIBA Asia Cup campaign on Wednesday night in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Gilas pumped life back to its game in the fourth with Rhenz Abando, Carl Tamayo, and SJ Belangel helping them making a dent in what was once a 21-point deficit, and they closed the gap to just nine, 74-83.

But Lebanon was able to hold on, picking up the hard-fought victory as Gilas suffered a tough opener.

The Filipinos are now tied with India in Group D with identical 0-1 cards while Lebanon and New Zealand lead the group with 1-0 slates.

Belangel led the Philippines with a team-high 17 points on 3-of-8 shooting from downtown while Ray Parks and Tamayo each poured in 15 markers with the UP star chipping in six rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Gilas was actually off to a hot start, leading Lebanon early in the opening period with Wil Navarro converting for a 21-15 spread. Belangel then caught fire, closing out the frame with a cold-blooded three, 27-22.

But Lebanon roared back, outscoring the Filipinos in the second, 24-12, with the deadly duo of Wael Arakji and Jonathan Arledge taking over for the Lebanese as they ended the first half up by seven, 47-39.

Thirdy Ravena came back in the third after suffering a bloody cut late in the second but Gilas was unable to contain the scintillating offense of Lebanon, who shot five triples in the frame.

With Hayk Gyokchyan catching fire, Lebanon's lead ballooned to 21, 79-58, to end the penultimate quarter.

Arakji registered 20 points to steer Lebanon while Arledge and Gyokchyan exploded for 19 markers each as Lebanon stunned Gilas.

Gilas will next face India on July 15, Friday, at 4 p.m. Gilas has to finish at least third in Group D to advance to the next round as top team from each group will earn a quarterfinals berth while the second and third seeds will play in the playoff for a quarterfinals seat.

New Zealand earlier defeated India by wide margin, 100-47, to take the lead in the group.

—JMB, GMA News