Gilas suffered a 36 point loss against Italy

ITALY waxed hot from the opening tip-off and never waver the rest of the way as it cruised to a 106-70 victory over Gilas at the start of their four-nation pocket tournament at The Paladozza early Sunday morning (Manila time).

The Filipinos fell right away on the first burst of gunfire after the Italians, led by Danilo Gallinari, went on a 22-0 tear in the first five minutes of the match.

The Philippines struggled to find its range and didn’t buy a basket until help came from the bench.

Big man June Mar Fajardo finally lighted up the scoreboard for the team when he made one off NBA veteran Andrea Bargnani. The San Miguel Beer center came in to replace Andray Blatche as the Gilas naturalized player was slapped his second personal foul.

But it was just an immediate relief for Gilas. By the time the 10-minute agony was over, it found itself trailing by a mile, 40-7.

Blatche led the way for the Philippines with 21 points, scoring the bulk of which in the second half when the team tried hard to make a game out of it.

The scores

Italy (106) -- Gallinari 20, Bellineli 11, Datome 8, Cervi 8, Gentile 8, Hackett 7, Abbas 7, Bargnani 6, Dela Valle 6, Cusin 4, Cinciarini 4, Melli 3.

Philippines (70) – Blatche 21, Rosario 10, Romeo 10, Castro 9, Pingris 4, Abueva 3,De Ocampo 3, Aguilar 3, Norwood 2, Fajardo 2, Chan 2, Parks 1, Tenorio 0, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 40-7; 64-23; 80-50; 106-70.


source:spin.ph