Gilas absorbs 27-point loss to Dutch

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas struggled with a woeful 4-of-23 three-point shooting and bled for just four points in the third quarter as the Nationals bowed to the Netherlands team, 62-89, at the start of the Toyota Four Nations Cup at Saku Suurhall in Tallinn, Estonia Thursday night.

Firing blanks in their return from the halftime break, the Nationals spent themselves from a tight first-half battle and went down with the 27-point defeat in their first warm-up game in preparation for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship next month in Changsha, China.

Gilas Pilipinas is working out to gain an ideal form to be medal contender in the Changsha joust that doubles as the regional qualifier for the 2016 Olympics.

Still a work in progress, Gilas staggered aand absorbed a third-quarter meltdown, allowing the Dutch to open a 68-42 bulge from a 39-38 edge at the turn.

Andray Blatche, Gary David and Calvin Abueva scored six points each, Jason Castro added five while Asi Taulava and Terrence Romeo chipped in four each as the Nationals dragged the Dutch to a battle in the first 20 minutes of the game.

The Nationals, however, couldn’t keep up as the Dutch stepped up their game, blasting Gilas Pilipinas with 29 points in the third quarter.

In his first international game, Abueva top scored for Gilas with 12 points while also coming through with six rebounds.

Castro and Romeo fired eight points apiece while Blatche contributed 12 rebounds and seven markers.

Troy Rosario, Jimmy Alapag, Matt Rosser, Gabe Norwood, Aldrech Ramos and Sonny Thoss were the others who suited up for Team Phl. Sitting out the contest were Ranidel de Ocampo, JC Intal, Dondon Hontiveros and Moala Tautuaa.

Coach Tab Baldwin started out with Blatche, Thoss, David, Norwood and Castro. As the first sub taking over David, Romeo knocked in his very first attempt, and Gilas led by six at 15-9 midway through the first quarter.

But the Dutch found their rhythm soon, taking the lead at the half with 6-foot-11 center Roeland Schaftenaar scattering 10 markers.