Gilas battles only in stretches vs Aussies

MANILA, Philippines — Without the team’s heart and soul Justin Brownlee, Gilas Pilipinas did everything it could against mighty Australia.

The Nationals really tried.

But the Aussies’ immense quality, plus that huge void left by the injured Brownlee, proved too much to overcome and the Filipinos absorbed a 49-92 defeat at the conclusion of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers’ first-round action in Perth last night.

”It wasn’t a lot of fun. It was a tough beating that we took out there tonight,” said coach Tim Cone after his outgunned charges failed to give the Boomers the same threat they gave New Zealand in a fighting 102-106 double-overtime loss last Friday.

“The problem is this is the one we will remember. We had a really outstanding trip. We worked really hard, went to a tough game against New Zealand in double OT then lost our best player then had to come here and play these superior athletes,” he added.

Hamstring strain and peroneal tendinopathy on his right leg and left knee swelling and cartilage defects prevented Brownlee from leading Gilas’ stand against the world No. 6.

“He wasn’t worth 40 points for sure, but he was a guy we could go to in tough moments but he just wasn’t ready to play tonight. He wouldn’t be much of a help the way he was feeling,” said Cone of JB.

Still, the Pinoy dribblers were upbeat they could take on Australia.

“We felt we could come out and compete,” said Cone, whose crew had its best moment when it outplayed the Boomers in the second period, 13-8, to get to within 14 after initially trailing by 19.

“But we only competed in stretches and it’s not good enough against a high quality team like this.”

Dwight Ramos shot nine as veteran June Mar Fajardo dished out eight points, eight rebounds and three assists to lead Gilas.

Mike Phillips hauled down 12 rebounds.