Italy’s team ball crushed Philippines’ World Cup title dream
MANILA, Philippines — Italy put a painful end towards the Philippines’ World Cup dream by slapping the host nation a 90-83 defeat in front of their home crowd within Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
The Italians blasted to claw a 48-39 first-half margin, but they kept their foot stepping on the gas pedal to widen their gap, 78-60, with 8:27 left in the game.
Gilas Pilipinas went off for a late rally that saw themselves getting nearer by seven, 88-81, with 1:43 remaining. But The Azzurri managed to hold on to officially stamp their ticket to the second round and join the Dominican Republic from Group A.
Italy displayed their team basketball and laser focused shooting upon registering 24 assists and 41.5 percent efficiency from the outside. With six players within the double-digit scoring, Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio starred with his 18 points and six boards.
Jordan Clarkson’s game-high 23 markers went wasted as the Philippines’ World Cup title hunt ended in a winless preliminary outing.
The Filipinos will now be with Angola for the classification round as they are still aiming to attain a win en route to direct Olympic qualification in Paris next year.
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