Aussies outclass Gilas five

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas stayed right behind Australia in the first 25 minutes of play before eventually crumbling under the weight of the Aussies’ imposing performance and dropping a 75-97 loss in the Antibes International Basketball Tournament at the Azur Arena in Antibes, France Saturday (early yesterday morning in Manila).

The Filipinos failed to approximate their gutsy stand against France the previous night, crushed by the efficient and methodical game of the tall FIBA Oceania champ bannered by four NBA players.

“We wanted to be better today than we were yesterday. Obviously, we weren’t,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

The Nationals, beaten by the French, 68-75, on Friday, will be out to avoid a winless stint in this four-nation, three-day meet as they tangle with Ukraine today.

“Let’s see how we’ll react,” said Reyes hoping for something positive to carry in their return to Spain for the stretch run of their buildup for the FIBA World Cup set Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

“Tough one tonight. Australia was able to impose their size and strength on us in the second half. Gotta keep on learning and improving,” said assistant coach Josh Reyes.

The Aussies, ranked No. 9 in the world and 10th placers in the last world championship, did throw their weight around in the final half, pulling away from a slim 64-60 lead.

Australia and the host team fight for the gold medal while the Philippines and Ukraine dispute third-place honors at the close of the pocket tourney.

The team from Down Under clobbered Ukraine, 74-65, on Day One.

A top bet in Group D in the coming world joust, Australia smothered Gilas Pilipinas with steadier outside shooting and heavy pounding at the paint.

Featuring the San Antonio Spurs’ Aron Baynes, the Chicago Bulls’ Cameron Bairstow, the Utah Jazz’ Dante Exum and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Matthew Dellavedova, the Aussies dealt the Filipinos a severe beating in the payoff period, 24-12.

Baynes, Dellavedova, Ryan Broekhoff, Brad Newley and Nathan Jawai came through with twin-digit outputs, easily negating Andray Blatche’s 20-point and 10-rebound game.

Gilas, which pushed France to the limit in an impressive outing Friday, stayed in the game only through the first 25 minutes against Australia with Jayson Castro, Jeff Chan and Gary David backing Blatche with at least 10 points each.

There was no stopping the Aussies when they shifted into high gear in the payoff period.