China downs PH

Smart-Gilas Pilipinas went cold down the stretch and succumbed to a late scoring run by China to fall, 68-71, at the start of the Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.

The Gilas started the fourth with a trey by Larry Fonacier, baskets by Jared Dillinger and Gary David and a freethrow by LA Tenorio for a 64-56 lead.

But the Chinese were unfazed and embarked on a 13-2 run that put them in front, 69-66.

Naturalized player Marcus Douthit scored to slice the deficit down to one but China responded with a basket for a 71-68 lead with 40 ticks left.

Gilas had several chances at tying the game but David and Jeff Chan flubbed their three-point attempts.

The Nationals trailed for most of the game until a sizzling run in the third canto gave them the lead.

They fell behind, 15-18, after the first and continued to trail the Chinese, 33-40, at halftime. However, the winds blew differently in the third canto, where the Nationals made their move.

Consecutive baskets by Gabe Norwood, an inside stab by Ranidel de Ocampo and a three-pointer by Dillinger tied the game up at 51-all. Then, David gave the lead to the Gilas with a booming three pointer, 56-54, heading to the final stanza.

China also had an opportunity to ice the game in the last minute of the game but Cao Fei missed two free throws to keep the door ajar for the Gilas. Still, the Filipinos were not able to capitalize.

Typifying the Nationals’ struggles from beyond the arc was their horrendous 6-of-35 clip. Ranidel de Ocampo paced the Gilas with 11 points while Douthit and Fonacier scored 10 apiece. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio