Pagpupugay 1954: Philippines falls to Brazil anew in FIBA World

Editor's Note: #Pagpupugay1954 is a series paying tribute to the Philippine national basketball team to the 1954 FIBA World Championship, which featured the best-ever finish by an Asian team in any world basketball competition. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the historic campaign, GMA News Online will release a series of stories following the exploits of the squad as if they were happening in real time. 

 

Playing its third game in as many days in the 1954 FIBA World Championship, the Philippines yielded a 57-41 result to Brazil, marking the Asian champions' second defeat to the host team in the tournament.

 

With the loss, the Philippines' record in the final round fell to 2-2.

 

Brazil earlier fashioned out a 99-62 whipping of the Philippines in the preliminary round of the competition.

 

While the result was closer this time, the Filipinos still struggled against the South Americans, trailing 35-23 at the half. Star center Caloy "The Big Difference" Loyzaga was the lone player in double-figures for the Philippines, scoring 15 points after going 7-of-8 from the foul line.

 

Pons Saldana, who scored 20 points in the Philippines' win against Israel the previous day, went scoreless.

 

There will be no rest for the weary as the Philippines will take on Canada on November 1.

 

The scores

 

Brazil (57) - De Almeida 15, Pasos 11, Wlamir 11, Bonifetti 11, Facci 5, Fonseca 2, Da Motta 2, De Azevedo 0, Bombarda 0, Gedeao 0, Monteiro 0, De Cali 0,

 

Philippines (41) - Loyzaga 15, Tolentino 7, Barretto 6, Manulat 4, Genato 3, Bautista 2, Mumar 2, Flores 2, Rabat 0, Francisco 0, Saldana 0, Amador 0

 

Halftime: 35-23