With coach Chot Reyes choosing to rest Andray Blatche and Paul Lee, Gilas Pilipinas struggled to find its range and left the Ukrainians open too many times, which all contributed to a 114-64 shellacking on the last day of the 2014 Antibes Tournament in Nice, France. Coach Mike Fratello’s wards shot 58% from beyond the arc (19/33) to basically leave the Filipinos gasping. Oleksandr Lypovyy, Sergiy Gladyr, Olexandr Mishula, Dmytro Zabirchenko, Igor Zaytsev, and Sviatoslav Mikhailuk each made two or more threes for Ukraine, which is in Group C in #Spain2014.
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| Sergiy Gladyr pumps his jersey after hitting a big three in Eurobasket 2013. (image from Eurobasket 2013) |
Here’s a recap from Rappler Sports:
“Gilas Pilipinas suffered another lopsided loss in the 2014 Antibes International Basketball Tournament against the lower-ranked Ukraine, 114-64 on Monday, August 18.
After a promising start in the French tournament losing only by 7 against reigning European champions France, the Philippine Men's National basketball team have now suffered two-straight lop-sided losses.
The Ukrainian team, which is coached by former Cleveland Cavaliers mentor Mike Fratello, started to pull away early in the second quarter scoring at will through penetration. Gilas struggled on offense, settling for jumpers and contested drives to the basket.
Gilas went to a 2-3 zone defense to contain the opposing team's drives but the tactic backfired as Ukraine was able to consistently hit their outside shots. The Ukraine team went 19/33 from downtown, erasing hopes of a Gilas comeback.
The game already seemed out of reach by halftime with Gilas trailing, 61-35.
The second half was no different. Gilas failed to find any rhythm on offense or to get back on defense in transition, resulting in multiple fastbreak plays.
Japeth Aguilar created another highlight moment by blocking a dunk attempt but the game was already lost at that point with Gilas behind by 32, 78-46 with 1:29 left to play in the 3rd quarter.
The Philippine Men's National basketball team played sans naturalized player Andray Blatche and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard Paul Lee, who were benched for precaution after sustaining minor injuries against Australia.
Oleksandr Lypovyy, a 6-foot-8 Serbian Leaguer who went undrafted in 2013 NBA Draft, led all scorers with 16 points on 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc. He was one of 7 Ukrainian players to score in double digits.
De Ocampo led the way for Gilas with 11 points. Only he and Jeff Chan (10 points) scored in double-figures for the Philippines.
Box Scores
UKR 114 - Lypovyy 26, Mishula 24, Zaytsev 15, Kravtsov 14, Zabirchenko 13, Mikhailiuk 11, Puztozvonov 10, Gladyr 9, Korniyenko 8, Natyahzko 7, Eugene 6, Zavadskiy 4
PHI 64 - De Ocampo 11, Chan 10, Castro 9, Tenorio 5, Douthit 5, Belga 5, Dillinger 5, Alapag 3, David 3, Aguilar 2, Fajardo 2, Washington 2, Pingris 2, Norwood 0”
Note:
- Ukrainian naturalized player Pooh Jeter, who last played professionally in the Chinese Basketball Association, played for just 13 minutes in this game.
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| Pooh Jeter will play a vital role for Ukraine in #Spain2014. (image from Eurobasket 2013) |
- Ukraine has not officially named its final twelve for #Spain2014, but the guys who played in this game might as well make up Fratello’s dirty dozen.
Watch game highlights below:
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2 Comment
Just a thought here..
BalasSeemingly, our Gilas, little by little, is getting accustomed to the FIBA officiating. Travelling violations are not whistled oftentimes like they used to during the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan and in the earlier stages of our buildup preparations. Even in the previous tune-up games we've played, we have narrowed down our unforced TOs. But still, our team hasn't abandoned their on-court habits or should we say 'impulse or playing instincts.' They haven't been able to shake off those silly handchecks and bumps that they normally does in the PBA. I think our players are finding it hard to not get caught by the physicality of the game. Specifically JF & JA our only legitimate frontline outside Blatche. I know this won't help our chances but if only Greg is in there, he would have made a difference on the defensive end grabbing boards and intimidating shots.
What do you say if they could do some drills involving mismatches in their trainings, lets say a 5-on-5 between the small but quick unit having Alapag, Tenorio, David, De Ocampo & Pingris going up against the tall group of Norwood, Dillinger, Washington, Blatche & Douthit simulating the international style of play with guards & wings having 5-6 inch height advantage and bigs who stretch out the floor and shoot perimeter shots. How do you think that would wind up? Can speed really win over the giants?
GANON?
Balas