The Philippines absorbed another loss in the 39th William Jones Cup as it fell apart against Lithuania, 91-80, on Friday afternoon at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan.
With a 4-3 win-loss record, the Gilas Pilipinas took the fourth spot in the team standings, losing its chance to defend the Jones Cup title.
Gilas had a strong start, leading by 22-17 at the end of the first quarter. But the Lithuanians came back easily, sparking a major uprising in the second canto to take over at the half, 50-41.
Lithuania remained dominant in the second half, establishing its largest distance at 20 points, 70-50, that was enough to survive the last-ditch effort made by young Gilas squad.
Kiefer Ravena and Mike Myers paced the Philippines with 14 points apiece. Matthew Wright and Roger Pogoy chipped in 13 markers each while Christian Standhardinger and Carl Bryan Cruz combined for 19 points and four boards.
Eigirdas Žukaukas showed the way for the now 6-1 Lithuania with 22 points and seven assists on top of four rebounds and three steals against two turnovers.
Gilas Pilipinas will take on India tomorrow, July 21 at 1 p.m.
The scores:
LITHUANIA 91 – Žukauskas 22, Šeškus E. 19, Vingelis 13, Beniušis 11, Linkevičius 11, Šeškus D. 7, Jocys 6, Volkus 2, Apsitis 0.
PHILIPPINES 80 – Myers 14, Ravena 14, Pogoy 13, Wright 13, Cruz 10, Standhardinger 9, Jalalon 5, Jose 2, Ferrer 0, Belo 0, Parks 0.
Quarterscores: 17-22, 50-41, 72-59, 91-80.