Gilas Pilipinas absorbs third straight loss in France tourney

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

MANILA — With naturalized player Andray Blatche and Paul Lee nursing minor injuries, Gilas Pilipinas suffered yet another defeat after bowing to taller and hot shooting Ukraine team, 114-64, at the close of the 2014 Antibes Basketball Tournament at the Azur Arena in Antibes, France Sunday (early Monday morning in Manila).

The Ukrainians hit 9-of-13 from the three-point area and finished with 25-of-38 from the field, tearing the game wide open after the first quarter for a 61-35 halftime margin.

And hardly slowing down, Ukraine led by as many as 51, 114-63, before wrapping up the win that came after a 63-56 decision over France the previous night.

The Philippines also lost to France, 58-65, and to Australia, 97-75.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes said the Philippines will have four more tune-up games for their build-up for the 2014 FIBA World Cup set Aug.

30 to Sept. 14 in Spain.

The Philippines returned to the world basketball arena for the first time in four decades after finishing second in the last year’s FIBA Asia championship behind champion Iran.

Gilas Pilipinas is represented by players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s first professional basketball league.