The Filipinos earned the respect of the boisterous Taiwanese crowd, almost erasing a 21-point third quarter deficit against the tall and shifty Americans to wind up their stint at 6-3 at the Taipei Physical Education College gym here.
The Americans, who won the championship as early as Saturday night after the Filipinos lost to Taiwanese in a classic game, finished undefeated in nine games but undoubtedly worked hard for their last win.
Down 59-80 in the third, the Filipinos dug deep in their collective resolve to get back in the fight in the final 5:46 after Jondan Salvador capped a 23-4 run with a layup for 82-84.
At 91-92 after a Taulava short stab, the Philippines had a chance to take the lead. But the Talk n Text center overshot a streaking Salvador for a turnover which led to a turnaround jumper by Marcus Douhthit on the other end.
Taulava also missed the chance to shove the Philippines closer after drawing the last foul of Reggie Okosa with 1:09 left, splitting his free throws for 92-94.
The crowd rooted for the Americans, who played above-the-rim basketball and hit shots from afar.
But the fighting heart the Filipinos played with was later on appreciated by the Taiwanese, who applauded the RP Team that bowed at center court after the game.
The game was halted for a while Douhthit and Kerby Raymundo came to blows at the 6:11 mark of the third. Raymundo was whistled for an offensive foul and gave a second motion that had the American retaliating.
Shifty guard Terrance Johnson scored 29 of his 33 points in the first three periods and the Philippines was only able to move close after Dennis Miranda put the cuffs of the Americans starting guard.
Douhthit was good for 21 markers.
The RP Team flies back home at 9:30 today before taking a short rest and resuming practice to participate in the Sultan’s Cup in Brunei where it will play against teams from China, Korea and Japan.