Gilas Pilipinas drops last tune-up game but in high spirit heading to FIBA World Cup

Smart Gilas Pilipinas. Photo courtesy of Nuki Sabio / FIBA Asia via Gilas Pilipinas Facebook page.

MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas dropped a close exhibition match to world’s 26th-ranked Dominican Republic, 79-86, but remains in high spirit going to the 2014 FIBA World Cup set Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 in Spain.

According to pba.ph report, the Philippines gave the Dominicans a good fight, fading away from 75-all count to end their series of tune-up games played in the US, France and Spain with a 4-6 win-loss card.

According to fiba.com, the Philippines is No. 17 out of the 24 teams that will see action in the FIBA World Cup to be held in six cities in Spain.

The Philippines is grouped with Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Croatia and Senegal in Group B.

Gabe Norwood top scored with 17 points that went with four rebounds and four assists while Andray Blatche came through with 16 markers and eight boards against Dominican Republic which blasted Senegal, 83-47, Saturday.

LA Tenorio delivered good all-around numbers of 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jeff Chan chipped in eight points and Gary David and Paul Lee added seven each in the game drawing another huge Filipino crowd at the Palacio Multiusos de Guadalajara.

Gilas assistant coach Josh Reyes said in his Twitter account that the Philippine team is getting better.

”Finally, after just one month of preparation, the system and defense is starting to fall into place at the level where we need it to be,” he said.

The Philippines qualified to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years after finishing second in the 2013 Asian qualifying tournament.