(Eagle News) — Philippines lost to powerhouse China by only two points on Tuesday, August 21, at the 18th Asian Games basketball competition, with a score of 80 to China’s 82 points.
It was a gallant effort by Philippines which was the Jordan Clarkson’s debut in the Asian Games where he scored 28 points. Christian Standhardinger scored another 18 points, whole Stanley Pringle scored 14 points.
Sports commentator and analyst Quinito Henson twitted that team Philippines “showed guts, heart in coming close to win.”
“Philippines pushed China to the limit and narrowly lost 82-80 in the Asian Games tonight-China had 12 more FT makes-Filipino nation proud of effort-Gilas showed guts, heart in coming close to win-it ain’t over, Gilas will bounce back,” he said in a tweet after the game.
Philippines’ coach Yeng Guiao considered the game as a win for the Philippines.
“I consider this as a win for the Philippines. This is a win for us,” he said as he praised the “gallant stand” of the Philippine team that was just assembled a few days before the Asian Games.
Fil-Am Clarkson whom the National Basketball Association allowed to play for the Philippines in the Asian Games scored 16 of the 26 third quarter points of the Philippine team. This included four triples.
It was a cliffhanger with Philippines even leading after Standhardinger’s two free throws, making it a score of 76-74- with 3:07 left.
It even got to a 78-75 score with Philippines leading with 2:36 to go.
China managed to get the lead in the final minutes of the game with China’s own NBA player, Houston Rockets back-up center Zhou Qi, leading the China team with 25 points.
Even with the loss, the Philippines, still has a spot in the next round where it will be on a collision with old nemesis South Korea.