Gutsy Gilas comeback falls short vs Angola in FIBA World Cup

Angola staved off a late-game run from Gilas Pilipinas to emerge victorious, 80-70, in a crucial Group A clash in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Gerson Goncalves topped the scoring chart for Angola as he put up 17 points, while Gerson Domingos followed with 15 markers, which included the dagger three from the corner pocket to seal their first win in this year's World Cup.

Gilas fell behind by as many as 16 points, 73-57, in the fourth quarter but, charged on by the Filipino faithful, they fought back to within five points, 73-68.

NBA player Jordan Clarkson scored or assisted on nine of Gilas' points, including an assist on a highlight and-one finish by AJ Edu, as part of an 11-0 run that brought them back into the game with 1:12 remaining.

But, it proved to be too little too late for Chot Reyes and his troops after Angola's Domingos sunk in a clutch three-pointer that made it an eight-point game inside the final minute, ultimately helped notch Angola the victory.

Despite trailing by as much as 11 early in the second quarter, the Angolans charged on a 19-5 scoring salvo to nurse a slender three-point advantage heading into halftime, 36-33.

Bucking a poor-shooting performance in the first-half, Clarkson scored 11 points in the third quarter to keep Gilas in the contest. However, led by Goncalves, the Angolans would go on a 17-5 run in the fourth quarter to notch their biggest lead of the game, 73-57.

Gilas struggled from the three-point line today, only making four out of their 22 attempts (18%).

Clarkson was the only Filipino in double digits today as he produced an overall stat line of 21 points, seven assists and three rebounds.

AJ Edu continued his steady play with nine points and six rebounds while Kai Sotto also contributed eight points and six boards following his scoreless debut in limited minutes against Dominican Republic last Friday.

RR Pogoy and Dwight Ramos also scored eight points apiece in today's contest.

Group A is now led by the Dominican Republic at 2-0 with Italy and Angola both sporting 1-1 records.

Gilas, which dropped its first game against the Dominicans last Friday, currently sits in last at 0-2, but still has a chance of advancing to the next round if they can beat Italy on the final day of the group's games and depending on the results of the other game.

Read more | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Italy

The Philippines will return to action on Tuesday, August 29, against Italy at 8 p.m.

The scores:

Angola 80 - Goncalves 17, Domingos 15, Fernando 14, Bango 10, De Sousa 10, Dundao 4, Kokila 4, Fransisco 3, Paulo 2, Monteiro 1, Fernandes 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

Quarters: 12-19, 36-33, 56-52, 80-70.

—Juris Salvanera/JMB, GMA Integrated News