GILAS Pilipinas failed to sustain an early fourth quarter charge and fell against Senegal, 72-64, in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guandong, China Friday night.
Young big man AJ Edu scored on consecutive baskets to give the Filipinos a 57-55 lead with eight minutes left to play at the packed Jiangman En Ping Sports gymnasium.
But that proved to be the last hurrah of Gilas as Senegal went on a 15-4 tear to turn the game around.
The African team preparing for the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament, capped the run with its third trey for the period to take a 70-61 lead going into the final two minutes.
Senegal won its second straight game for a 2-0 record in the mini pocket tournament, while Gilas fell to 1-1 as it failed to follow up its 76-65 win over Iran the other night.
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June Mar Fajardo led the Philippines with 14 points, while CJ Perez and Dwight Ramos were the other players to finish in double figures with 11 each.
After a break on Saturday, the Filipinos get another shot at Senegal on Sunday before ending their campaign the following day against Iran.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes earlier described Senegal as a big challenge for the Filipinos as the African team is 'big, strong, and tall.'
Curiously, the national team beat Senegal in overtime, 81-71, during the preliminary of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. (RG)
