NO Tokyo Games stint for the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 squad.
The undermanned Filipino cagers bowed out of the FIBA 3×3 Olympic qualifying tournament with crushing defeats last Friday in Graz, Austria.
The trio of CJ Perez, Joshua Munzon, and Leonard Santillan wound up winless in the four-group, 20-country joust after dropping their final two matches.
Playing in a do-or-die match, Gilas absorbed a numbing 11-22 loss to Dominican Republic.
Munzon led the team with eight points, while Perez and Santillan had two markers apiece.
Against France, Gilas suffered a painful 14-15 setback, with Munzon taking charge anew with seven points, while Perez and Santillan chipped in five and two, respectively, that went for naught as they played without big man Mo Tautuaa, who sat out the game due to stiff neck.
Coach Ronnie Magsanoc said Gilas was gracious in defeat.
“We will return to Manila with the thought that in time, we will be able to match up and compete with the best countries in the world. Time and preparation are key elements,” Magsanoc was quoted as saying by online sports website Spin.ph.
“Consistent international exposure will definitely add toughness and readiness for our Gilas 3×3 national players once we participate in the top-level FIBA 3×3 competitions in the coming year,” he added.