Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone against the Taiwan Mustangs, June 24, 2024. File photo by Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News.

MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas almost scored an upset over Poland as they wrapped up their set of tuneup games ahead of the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Justin Brownlee led their failed attempt at a comeback with 30 points, while Dwight Ramos tallied an all-around outing of 16 markers, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals in the 82-80 loss.

After ending the first with a 23-16 advantage, the Nationals went back-and-forth with the World ranked No.15, and even entered the fourth canto trailing only by two, 58-56.

However, the Tim Cone-mentored squad suddenly saw themselves down by 14, 76-62, with 5:05 left in the game after a barrage of baskets by Poland that included a bunch of three-pointers.

“Our defense just quit, fellas,” the decorated mentor said during the squad’s timeout midway through the fourth period as they looked to stop the bleeding.

Cone commented on the energy of Gilas on the defensive side and pointed out how they were displaying subpar efforts in stopping their Polish counterparts.

“We’re only standing up. But when you get tired, this is the time when you get at it more, fellas. You have to get lower, be more ready,” he said.

“Again, if you wanna play at this level, these are the things that you’re gonna have to do. You can’t just play the way you want to play. You got to play on this level, and that means get down on guys, go ahead, chase them, run them, make the extra effort.”

”If we’re not gonna make the extra effort, we can’t stop these guys,” he emphasized.

This sparked a run from Gilas as Brownlee and Ramos hit a trey and a basket, respectively, to get within nine, 76-67.

Ramos then scored eight points which were built on two three-pointers and a stepback jumper in the following plays to bring down Poland’s advantage to five, 82-77, and while CJ Perez’s lay-in eventually got them to within two, it proved to be too late, resulting in Gilas dropping their second defeat in three games.

Also adding to the Philippines’ woes were their timely misses from the free-throw line, with Ramos and Chris Newsome both blanking one attempt each in the payoff period, but what was more crucial were their 23 turnovers.

Gilas will now be entering the last part of their preparations for the Qualifiers as they will be going up against hosts Latvia on July 4, 12 a.m., and Georgia on the same day, 8:30 p.m., (Both Manila times).

Meanwhile, Michal Sokolowski led his squad with 12 points.

THE SCORES: 

POLAND 82 – Sokolowski 21, Balcerowski 10, Pluta 8, Sochan 8, Ponitka 7, Zyskowski 6, Dziewa 5, Milicic 5, Michalak 5, Niziol 5, Mazurczak 2, Zolnierewicz 2.

PHILIPPINES 80 – Brownlee 30, Ramos 16, Fajardo 10, Sotto 8, Newsome 6, Aguilar 4, Tamayo 4, Perez 2, Oftana 0, Quiambao 0.

QUARTERS: 16-23; 41-38; 58-56; 82-80.