Gilas Pilipinas suffered its first setback in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, falling to Dominican Republic, 87-81, on Friday at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Philippines.
Jordan Clarkson led the charge for the Philippines with 28 points on 9-of-24 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists, but fouled out at a critical juncture in the fourth quarter that dampened Gilas' hopes of opening their campaign with a win.
It was a tight game all throughout as the Philippines made it tough on Dominican Republic, which was carried by its own NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns who finished with a double-double of 26 points and 10 boards.
The game between the Philippines and Dominican Republic drew an attendance record of 38,115, shattering the previous record of 32,616 which was established in 1994 during the FIBA World Cup Final between USA and Russia at the Skydome in Toronto, Canada.
Clarkson and Gilas take on Angola in their second assignment, while Dominican Republic faces Italy.
