Gilas Pilipinas crashes out of FIBA Asia Cup with loss to Japan

Japan took down Gilas Pilipinas, 102-81, in the qualifiers for the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup held in Indonesia on Tuesday.

Japan relied on a strong start and limited Gilas to just 16 points against their own 32-point output. Gilas and Japan both had 18 points in the second quarter to end the first half at 50-34.

While the Philippines were catching up with Japan in the third quarter as it had 27 points against Japan's 29, the final frame was a different story as Japan led by as much as 28 points, 99-71, with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

With the loss, Gilas Pilipinas missed the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Ray Parks had 16 points, while Kiefer Ravena had 15 points. Carl Tamayo, who fouled out in the fourth period, had 10 points.

Five players scored in double digits for Japan, with Yuki Togashi leading the team with 18. Luke Evans had 17 points while Yudai Nishida and Yuta Watanabe tallied 15 markers each. Yutaroh Suda had 14 points.

Japan will face Australia in the quarterfinals, while the other bracket will see South Korea facing New Zealand. Iran-Jordan and Lebanon-China complete the other brackets for the quarters.

The Philippines last lost to Japan in a tournament in the 2010 Asian Games, 60-58. This is also the Philippines' worst finish in a FIBA Asia championship since placing ninth in the 2007 edition held in Japan.

—JMB, GMA News