Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas point guard Kiefer Ravena admitted that the Philippines let a winnable game slip away after faltering against Angola on Sunday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 here.

“We let one slip. It’s really tough to compete. But like I said earlier, if you’re down seven, eight points with two minutes to go, it’s really tough,” Ravena said following Gilas’ 80-70 loss to the AfroBasket side at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippines blew an early 28-17 lead in the game, struggling to hit its outside shots while also being outrebounded in the offensive glass by the taller and more imposing Angolans.

“We got hammered on the boards, gave up 20 offensive rebounds to the other team, and in the end, that was the story,” head coach Chot Reyes said.

“We took care of the ball a lot better tonight, but just couldn’t make shots. Eighteen percent from three points is not gonna get it done,” Reyes added of Gilas’ 4-of-22 shooting clip from long range.

The setback caused the Philippines to fall to 0-2 in Group A. With Japan stunning Finland in their own matchup in Okinawa, 98-88, the Akatsuki Five moved past the Philippines in the race to the Asian spot for the Olympics next year.

Being part of the 2019 World Cup squad that absorbed a likewise painful 84-81 overtime loss to Angola, Ravena said the group was motivated to avenge that defeat.

“With 3 or 4 players from that team of 2019, and some of the players watching today, sayang, kasi parang gusto talaga namin makabawi for them,” the Shiga Lakes playmaker said.

“That was part of the motivation, bouncing back for those players who gave it their best during the 2019 World Cup.”

As heartbreaking the loss is for the home side, Ravena and co. will still play one more group stage game against Italy, needing to win by at least 13 points and needing Angola to lose to the Dominican Republic for a shot at the second round.

He said the team needs to forget about the result against Angola and focus on what lies ahead.

“We have to focus on the present which is preparing for Italy. You can’t be emotional at this time where we have one game left to focus on. Sayang lang, pero kailangang bumawi ulit,” Ravena said.

Written by Levi Joshua Verora Jr.
Photos from fiba.basketball