Jordan Clarkson was the top scorer of the game, setting a new World Cup record, but Gilas Pilipinas got defeated for the third time in a row, becoming the first host country since 1982 to lose the first three games.
Gilas Pilipinas needed to win the last game of the First Round against Italy by at least 12 points to advance. However, the Italians got a comfortable win 90-83 (20-23, 28-16, 25-21, 23-17).
The hosts got off to a fiery start, leading 18-15 with several minutes remaining in the game. However, the guests controlled the remainder of the game.
Gilas Pilipinas tried to mount a late comeback with two minutes remaining in the game, but it wasn’t enough to capture their first win.
Jordan Clarkson was the top scorer once again, recording 23 points on 8-for-20 shooting, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, but 4 turnovers for an efficiency score of 22 in 37 minutes of playing time.
With his performance, Clarkson is the first player to combine for more than 20 points and more than 5 assists in his first three games in the FIBA World Cup. He has also become only the eighth player to have scored more than 20 points in each of his first three games in a FIBA World Cup tournament.
At the same time, Gilas Pilipinas have become the first host team since Colombia in 1982 to lose their first three games in the tournament.
Simone Fontecchio led the way for Italy with 18 points, but just 5 made field goals out of 17. Nicolo Melli stuffed the scoresheet with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
Marco Spissu was close to a double-double with 13 points and 9 assists.
With the win, Italy advances to the Second Round as the second-placed team in Group A. Gilas Pilipinas will continue fighting in the 17th-32nd-place round with hopes of capturing the lone ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games reserved for the World Cup’s best-placed team from Asia.
Full game highlights:
