GILAS Pilipinas got off to a sloppy start and lost against host Lebanon on Saturday night, 87-106, at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut.
Still reeling from its frustrating defeat against Korea in the knockout quarterfinals three days ago, the Nationals fell behind by 19-points early and spent the entire evening playing catch up.
Lebanese ageless star Fadi El-Khatib finished with 36 points as the host team advanced to a battle for fifth with China.
Jayson Castro had 13 points and seven assists and Terrence Romeo had 19 points but was held to 4 of 15 shooting as Gilas Pilipinas dropped two straight after going undefeated through the Group Phase.
The Nationals will be aiming for a seventh place finish – its worst in eight years – against Jordan on Sunday. The Philippines has not finished lower than fourth since a team coached by Yeng Guiao finished eighth in 2009 in Tianjin, China.
Sponsored content:
A frustrated Gilas coach Chot Reyes was ejected with 5:23 left in the game after a non-call on Jun Mar Fajardo, who was clearly fouled under the basket.
