Gilas Pilipinas suffers second straight loss in New Zealand

THE GILAS Pilipinas fell to its second straight loss in its New Zealand training camp after it was defeated by the Wellington Saints, 96-100, yesterday at the Te Rauparaha Arena.

Playing without naturalized player Marcus Douthit, the Gilas were simply overwhelmed by the Saints’ dynamic duo of Bryant Markson and Kareem Johnson, who scored 32 and 30 points, respectively.

Douthit, the 6-foot-10 center who is expected to anchor the middle for the Gilas, did not play because of an injured back.

Still, head coach Chot Reyes lauded the Gilas’ efforts, especially that of Cebuano big man Junemar Fajardo and fellow big men Marc Pingris and Japeth Aguilar.

“Junemar (Fajardo), Japeth (Aguilar) and (Marc) Pingris held their own before they fouled out. We took a forward step despite the loss. We wanted to win for the Pinoy fans though,” Reyes tweeted after the match.

The Gilas are now 2-2 (win-loss) on this trip with both wins coming at the expense of the Hawke’s Bay Hawks. The Nationals lost last Sunday to the National Basketball League selection squad.

They are set to battle the South City Rangers today before finally battling the New Zealand Tall Blacks tomorrow. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio