Pagpupugay 1954: Philippines clinches FIBA World bronze medal with heated win over France

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.

 

3 November 1954.

 

The Philippines assured itself of the bronze medal in the 1954 FIBA World Championship after a 66-60 victory over France.

 

Slotman Caloy Loyzaga once again proved to be "The Big Difference" for the Filipinos, leading the charge with 19 points.

 

Mariano Tolentino added 13 points while Rafael Barretto chipped in 10 for the boys of coach Herminio "Herr" Silva, the architect of the three-year basketball program that began in 1951. The win against France, which guarantees the Philippines its first podium finish in any world basketball competition, was the culmination of that painstaking process.

 

The match was tight throught, with the Filipinos holding a slim 25-23 lead at halftime.

 

In the end, Silva's boys proved too steady down the stretch for the Frenchmen, who seemed to lose their cool. Jean Paul Beugnot, France's 6-foot-9 center, figured in an altercation near the end with Philippine team captain Lauro Mumar. Moments earlier, "The Fox" out of Letran College had scored an easy layup while the big man rubbed his eyes helplessly.

 

The Philippines will wrap up its final round assignment against Uruguay on November 5.

United States and host Brazil — the only two teams that have beaten the Philippines in the tournament so far — will dispute the gold medal. — JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

Philippines (66) - Loyzaga 19, Tolentino 13, Barretto 10, Mumar 8, Manulat 7, Rabat 2, Flores 2, Saldana 2, Genato 2, Francisco 1, Bautista 0, Amador 0.

 

France (60) - Haudegand 11, Beugnot 10, Perniceni 8, Antoine 7, Monclar 6, Freimuller 5, Rey 5, Buffiere 4, Grange 2, Dessemme 2, Zagury 0, Bertorelli 0.

 

Halftime: 25-23