THE Gilas Pilipinas’ hopes of advancing any further in the 2023 FIBA World Cup crashed and burned at the hands of Italy as the Azzurri brought down the hosts, 90-83, in their final group stage game on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Needing to win by 12 points over the 10th-ranked basketball team in the world, the Gilas buried under a barrage of three-pointers from the Azzurri, which made 17 triples.
With a 2-1 record, Italy moves on to the tournament's second round along with Group A winner Dominican Republic. The Philippines finished their campaign with a 0-3 record.
The second period was where the Gilas’ epitaph was written in this game, as their 23-20 lead after the first—made possible after a buzzer-beating jumper by Cebuano big man June Mar Fajardo—evaporated in the face of a 28-16 Italy burst that placed them in front, 48-39.
Italy pushed their lead to a high of 17, 88-71, with 3:10 to go after a triple by Giampaolo Ricci. The Gilas then showed signs of life by scoring the next 10 points to bring the deficit down to seven, 88-81.
The Nationals had a couple of chances to come closer, but Jordan Clarkson missed a layup while Kiefer Ravena flubbed a three-point attempt to put them dead in the water and eventually out of the running in this prestigious tournament.
Simone Fontecchio, who plays for the Utah Jazz in the NBA, led Italy with 18 points and six rebounds. Ricci added 14, while Marco Spissu and Stefano Tonut had 13 points each, with Spissu dishing out nine assists.
Jordan Clarkson once again led the Gilas with 23 points, seven boards, and six assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 14.
The Gilas could not keep up with Italy’s ball rotation as the Azzurri racked up 24 assists to the Philippines’ 14.