Introduction
Gilas Pilipinas faced an 84-73 defeat against Turkey in Istanbul in the first of two European tune-up games. This match is part of their final preparation for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Struggles from Beyond the Arc
Gilas struggled to contain Turkey’s three-point shooting and had difficulty making their own shots from distance. Despite these challenges, they were only down by five points, 73-78, in the final minutes.
- Three-Point Shooting Comparison:
- Gilas: 5-of-17
- Turkey: 14-of-41
Key Performances
Justin Brownlee led the team with 21 points but struggled with his three-point attempts, making just one of seven. He also committed six turnovers. June Mar Fajardo contributed significantly with 17 points and 11 rebounds but faced foul trouble.
- Justin Brownlee: 21 points, 1-of-7 from three, 6 turnovers
- June Mar Fajardo: 17 points, 11 rebounds, foul trouble
- Kai Sotto: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, fouled out with 2:35 left
Turkey’s Standout Players
Tarik Biberovic scored a game-high 23 points, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. His late-game trey secured Turkey’s win. Can Korkmaz added 12 points, making all his free throw attempts.
- Tarik Biberovic: 23 points, 5-of-9 from three
- Can Korkmaz: 12 points, 9-of-9 free throws
Game Flow and Key Moments
Gilas mounted several rallies but ultimately fell short. After trailing 42-40 at halftime, they stayed close, narrowing the gap to 68-65 when Brownlee finally hit a three with 6:58 remaining. However, Turkey responded with an 8-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Biberovic, creating their largest lead at 76-65.
Turkey’s Preparation and Absences
Turkey played without their NBA players, although Cedi Osman of the San Antonio Spurs was courtside. The team is gearing up for the FIBA Eurobasket 2025 qualifiers in November.
Gilas’ Next Steps
Gilas will now head to Poland for their final tune-up game before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga. Dwight Ramos had an all-around performance with four points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Other notable contributions came from Carl Tamayo and Kai Sotto, each scoring seven points.
Game Summary and Scores
- Turkey: 84 – Biberovic 23, Korkmaz 12, Sanli 9, Sipahi 9, Osmani 8, Ozdemiroglu 7, Haltali 6, Kabaca 3, Yilmaz 3, Bas 2, Yasar 2, Ilyasoglu 0.
- Philippines: 73 – Brownlee 21, Fajardo 17, Sotto 7, Tamayo 7, Newsome 5, Ramos 4, Aguilar 4, Perez 3, Oftana 3, Quiambao 2, Amos 0.
Quarters: 24-21; 42-40; 64-56; 84-73.(188jili)