Gilas Pilipinas bows to underdog Kazakhstan

The Philippines suffered a crucial  92-88 defeat against Kazakhstan in their FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying matchup on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

With the defeat, Gilas Pilipinas' remained at third place in Group F with a 5-4 record, in a tie with Japan. The Philippines will host Iran, at second place with 6-3, on Monday in a critical matchup. Iran lost earlier in the day to Australia, which clinched a ticket to the FIBA World Cup after improving its record to 8-1.

The top three teams in the group are assured of a spot in next year's tournament in China.

Alexandr Zhigulin was unstoppable for Kazakhstan, finishing with 30 points on six three-pointers. As a team, Kazakhstan shot a blistering 57 percent from the field, going 12-of-23 from beyond the arc.

Gilas had one last-ditch effort to steal the win after Marcio Lassiter scored a three-pointer to put the Philippines within two points, 90-88, with 26 seconds left. But Kazakhstan ran the clock down before dropping it off to Anton Bykov for a layup to put the game out of reach.

Stanley Pringle led the Philippines with 29 points, while June Mar Fajardo added 14 points and 13 rebounds. Lassiter was the only other player to score in double-figures for Gilas with 13. —JST, GMA News