Gilas finishes 0-3 in Group A of FIBA World Cup after loss to hot-shooting Italy

It was heartbreak again for host team Gilas Pilipinas after they suffered their third loss in as many games, falling to Italy, 90-83, Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Italy seemingly could not miss from three, making 17 out of their 41 attempts (41%).

Six Italians entered double digits to help the Azzurri finish second in Group A and advance to the next stage of the World Cup.

Utah Jazz swingman Simone Fontecchio produced 18 points, while Giampaolo Ricci and Marco Spissu followed suit with 14 and 13 markers apiece.

Jordan Clarkson led Gilas anew with 23 points, as Gilas head into their classification round games this Thursday, August 31, where the lone outright Olympic slot for the best Asian team could still be up for grabs, depending on the results of Japan's game on Wednesday.

After a strong start in which Gilas hit six of its first 10 attempts from three, the Italians leaned on their swift ball movement and their own perimeter shooting to take over in the second quarter and head into the intermission up by nine, 48-39.

Fontecchio already scored 14 of his points by halftime while Italy as a team went 9-for-21 (43%) from long range by that point.

Not resting on their laurels, Gianmarco Pozzecco’s men continued to shoot the ball at a furious clip, hitting another eight threes in the second half.

Despite Gilas’ best efforts to keep within striking distance in the final canto, Italy’s consistent conversions from the field gave them enough breathing room to pull away in the end.

Down by 17, 88-71, at the 3:10 mark, the Filipinos fired off 10 unanswered points sparked by a Kiefer Ravena triple and a bucket and some free throws from Clarkson. They came as close as seven, 88-81, with 1:43 remaining, but it wasn't enough.

Aside from Clarkson, Dwight Ramos had his best game so far in the tournament, pouring in 14 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals.

AJ Edu continued to turn head with his stellar interior play, finishing with eight markers while also grabbing eight rebound and swatting away one shot.

The scores:

Italy 90 – Fontecchio 18, Ricci 14, Spissu 13, Tonut 13, Pajola 11, Melli 10, Polonara 6, Datome 5, Severini 0.

Gilas Pilipinas 83 – Clarkson 23, Ramos 14, Pogoy 9, Abando 8, Edu 8, Ravena 8, Malonzo 7, Fajardo 4, Sotto 2, Aguilar 0, Perez 0, Thompson 0.

Quarters: 20-23, 48-39, 73-60, 90-83.

—Juris Salvanera/JMB, GMA Integrated News