Gilas drops friendly versus South Korea

Sports

A BLOWOUT loss marked the start of Gilas Pilipinas’ tune-up games as it bowed to South Korea, 55-81, in the Hana Bank Invitational at the Suwon KT Sonic Boom Arena on Friday, Sept. 4.

Gilas failed to get into a good offensive rhythm and found itself trailing by 13 points, 44-57, with one quarter left to play.

Things turned from bad to worse for Gilas in the final period where they scored just 11 points, enabling the home team to escape with the 26-point rout.

Justine Baltazar tallied a double-double to lead Gilas, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Adrian Nocum scored 10 points while Justin Arana put in six points and seven rebounds

Lee Jung-hyun led South Korea’s onslaught with 27 points. Lee Hyun-Jung, who saw action in the NBA Summer League, scored just six points but manahed to grab 15 rebounds.

The Nationals will take on the same South Korea team on Sunday, Sept. 6. The Philippine Team is using the two friendlies to prepare for the 20th Asian Games, where it will seek a second straight crown.(CCM)