Gilas Pilipinas falls to Korea in second tune-up game before Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas fell behind early and never recovered, absorbing a 69-42 loss to South Korea in its final tune-up game before the country's title defense in the Asian Games in Japan.

The Philippine national team, banered by an all-PBA roster, opened the first frame with a huge 19-2 deficit and ended the first half staring at a 14-38 deficit.

Gilas Pilipinas could not flip the switch the rest of the way with the Koreans building a 61-32 lead midway through the fourth period off a triple.

Magnolia high-flyer Zav Lucero led the way in the loss with 14 points and six rebounds while Adrian Nocum chipped in nine markers, three assists, and a rebound as they now head to the Asian Games set in Nagoya.

Sedrick Barefield and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser each chimed in with seven points as five Gilas players, including Robert Bolick, ended up scoreless throughout the match.

Gilas was coming off a lopsided 81-55 loss to the Koreans last Friday with Converge big man Justine Baltazar and Nocum taking charge of the offense.

Gilas will open its title defense on September 11 against Bahrain before taking on Kazakhstan the next day and China on the 14th.

—JKC, GMA News