For the game’s first 20 minutes, the Philippine boys’ national basketball team appeared ready to shock the world.

But a torrid turnaround by France after halftime gave the Filipinos a quick dose of reality and a second straight loss in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup.

Les Bleus pressured Batang Gilas on defense in the third quarter then imposed their will on offense to pull away and win 95-54 at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario city in Argentina on Sunday (Monday, Manila time).

It didn’t help the Filipinos’ cause that their most important player, Kai Sotto, was slapped with 2 fouls in a span of 90 seconds in the third, forcing coach Michael Oliver to sub him out because Sotto ran his total up to 4.

When Sotto was called to the bench 3:30 into the third, France was ahead 51-36. By the time the quarter was over, the reigning European under-16 champions were in full control, 73-45.

After a rude welcome to the tournament on Saturday, a 22-point rout in the hands of world No. 10 Croatia, Batang Gilas played more competitively to start its game against France, ranked No. 7.

• Batang Gilas bows to Croatia, as Kai tallies 20-10

Forward Carl Vincent Tamayo and shooting guard Gerry Austin Abadiano combined for 27 points in the first half, as the underdog Philippines, which never led against Croatia, stood up to the French side.

A basket by Abadiano put the Filipinos in front 23-22, but France countered with a 10-0 run to take the driver’s seat 32-23. The half ended with France up just 38-32.

France poured it on after the break, going on a 13-2 attack to stretch its lead to 51-34, the floodgates opening further as Sotto sat on the bench.

Tamayo finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Abadiano added 17 points.

Sotto was slapped with his fifth and last foul on an unsportsmanlike play midway through the fourth. He finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds, a day after posting a 20-10 game against Croatia.

European under-16 MVP Killian Hayes and Théo Maledon each finished with 14 points to lead France, which hiked its record to 2-0.

All teams rest on Monday, before returning to action Tuesday (Argentina time).

The Philippines’ last game in the group stage is against Argentina.

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