Blatche scores 33, but Gilas loses to Angola

MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas put up a good fight before losing to perennial African champions Angola, 74-83, during their scrimmage in San Sebastian, Spain.

Birthday boy Andray Blatche had his best game with the Philippine team, churning out 33 points and grabbing a total of 17 boards.

Olimpio Cipriano had 29 points while naturalized player Reggie Moore added 14 for Angola, which is ranked No. 15 in the world.

The nationals unloaded a 9-0 run in the final period to pull within 64-59 but the Angolans responded with 8 straight points to surge ahead, 76-61.

The Filipinos then played catch-up with a 13-7 exchange, but coach Paulo Jorge De Macedo’s charges weathered a surge to deal Gilas’ fifth straight tune-up defeat.

Team manager Aboy Castro, however, saw improvements in Gilas’ play.

"Man-to-man offense was very efficient. They (Angolans) had to zone us," Castro said in Richard Dy’s report to Spin.ph.

"Ball screen defense has already improved."

Paul Lee, who missed the team's last two games due to hip injury, managed to play for 15 minutes with no pain at all, Castro added.

Box scores:

Angola 83 – Cipriano 29, Moore 14, Moreira 9, Fortes 7, Joaquim 6, Gomes 5, Mingas 5, Costa 4, Ndoniema 2, Santos 2, Manuel 0, Barros 0.

Gilas Pilipinas 74 – Blatche 33, De Ocampo 9, Norwood 7, Alapag 6, Chan 6, Tenorio 4, Aguilar 4, Fajardo 3, Castro 2, David 0, Belga 0, Dillinger 0, Pingris 0.

Quarterscores: 17-17, 43-34, 64-50, 83-74.