Gilas Pilipinas Youth bows to Serbia, drops to classification round
GILAS PILIPINAS Youth is now out of the running in the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Greece after bowing to world number four Serbia, 87-60, in the round of 16 early Thursday morning (Manila time).
Met one of the top teams in the world after finishing the group phase winless, the undermanned Gilas Youth struggled against the Serbians en route to dropping its fourth straight defeat and being relegated to the classification round of the prestigious tournament.
The Philippines competed early but was overwhelmed by Serbia as the proceedings moved along.
It fell behind, 19-14, at the end of the opening quarter before seeing the Serbians crank things up and put the match away.
Marko Pecarski led the Serbians with 21 points and six rebounds, followed by Filip Petrusev with 17 markers.
Dalibor Ilic had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, He also had six assists.
For the Philippines, it was Dave Ildefonso who showed the way with 18 points albeit he committed seven turnovers.
Kai Sotto had 13 points and eight rebounds while Gerry Abadiano finished with 12 markers.
In the classification round for places ninth to 16th, the Philippines will first meet Australia, which lost to Lithuania, 91-74, in the round of 16.
Their match happens today at Heraklion at 9:30 p.m., Manila time. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
