FIBA World Cup 2023: Gilas dreams of advancing to 2nd round over after 83-90 loss to Italy

Simone Fontecchio starred for the Azzurri with 18 points and six rebounds as Italy ended co-hosts Philippines'  hopes of making it through to the World Cup crossover stage. 

3 minBy Olympics.com
Gilas Pilipinas come together in a huddle after losing to Italy at FIBA World Cup 2023

(2023 Getty Images)

The Philippines will not advance to the second round of FIBA World Cup 2023 after losing 83-90 to Simone Fontecchio-led Italy in Manila on Tuesday (29 August).

The Azzurri overcame a first-quarter deficit before taking complete control of the game scoring 17 three-point shots on their way to victory over the Gilas Pilipinas in the Araneta Coliseum.

Fontecchio led Italy with 18 points and six rebounds, Giampaolo Ricci scored 14 points and Marco Spissu and Stefano Tonus each added 13 points as six Italian players made it into double digits.

Gilas**' Jordan Clarkson** led all scorers with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists but his efforts were not enough with the Filipinos chasing a win of more than 12 points in a bid to try to make it to the second round.

A spirited attempt by the Gilas in the final quarter, which they won 23-17, did reduce the scoreline margin but wasn't enough to eke out the win with Italy continually finding ways to punish the hosts. 

With the win, the Italians secured their place in the crossover stage in second place behind the Dominican Republic who finished the first round with a 3-0 record.

Gilas will now play in the classification matches with teams from Group B as they bid to improve on their last-place finish from 2019.

Jordan Clarkson: "Basketball is a game of missed shots and up and downs"

Speaking after the game, Clarkson shared the feeling of disappointment in the playing group at having turned out a 0-3 record at the tournament so far.

"I think we competed. I think we’ve competed in all three games. We came out here and gave our best efforts, trying to figure out these games and get wins."

Coach Chot Reyes chimed in agreement.

"I’m very proud of the effort of our players. What a way to fight coming off those two painful losses and to still show up tonight and give it their all against a top 10 team in the world, I couldn’t ask for more. We just came up short but you know we continue to fight that’s all we can do."

He continued: "Today we faced a team that made all their three-point shots and that’s basketball. Every game is different. you have to approach each game, every possession, every play and that’s all we’re doing."

On the motivation in the group to try and win the next classification games, Clarkson said they were as fired up as they had been all tournament.

“We are super motivated. From the beginning, we’ve been motivated. The team is strong. We fight. We aren’t giving up throughout the whole game.

"We are fighting, we are strong mentally and we’re going to put it together and try to get these two. We know what it means and we know what it means for the country."

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