IT was boom-or-bust reckoning for the PBA-backed Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup six years ago today in Seville, Spain.
They're then up against FIBA Americas runner-up Puerto Rico. A win would give them a shot at the knockout stage, but a loss would mean outright elimination.
Just like in their previous games, the Nationals stood on the threshold but ended up beaten by a Puerto Rican guard with NBA pedigree.
JJ Barea, then with the Minnesota Timberwolves, scored 10 of the Puerto Ricans' final 12 points, willing his team to a 77-73 win.
Barely saving his team from an upset, Barea tipped his hats off to Gilas, especially to the guards crew led by LA Tenorio who tossed in 18 points.
Sponsored content: "I'd like to commend Gilas, they're a great team," said Barea. "They have great guards who can make shots, just like me."
The Nationals got off to a rousing start and set the pace most of the way only to crumble down on crucial errors and on Barea's 10-point explosion in the last four minutes of play.
"In the second half, we're right there but we kept turning the ball over and couldn't make the shots in the end," rued Gilas coach Chot Reyes.
"We have the skills to play at this level, but we don't have the experience to win," Reyes also said moments after the loss as frustrating and disappointing as their defeats at the hands of Croatia and Argentina.
Gilas Pilipinas was still ahead at 70-67 before Barea, then an eight-year NBA veteran, completely took over the game. He finished with a game-high 30 points.
Sponsored content: The endgame foldup put to naught a whirlwind start for the Filipinos, who opened as much as a 14-point lead behind an 18-0 run in the first quarter, 27-13, and had the game in control until the third.
Andray Blatche led Gilas with 25 points and 14 rebounds but with six turnovers. (SB)
