Gilas Pilipinas Men advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022 despite losing to China, 21-11, Saturday in Singapore. 

The Philippines finished in second place in Pool C with a 1-1 record as the top two teams in each pool will advance. Gilas was able to beat host Singapore earlier in the day. 

The men’s 3×3 national team was hoping to stay undefeated in the tournament but met a wall in the long and youthful lineup of China. Facing two 6-foot-7 players and two more 6-foot-8 mobile big men, Gilas fought valiantly despite the height disadvantage. 

China scored the first five points and raced to an early 13-4 advantage. Refusing to go down, Gilas leaned on back-to-back hits—an Almond Vosotros layup and Lervin Flores deuce—to keep their hopes alive. 

A two-pointer from Samboy de Leon made it a six-point game with two and a half minutes remaining. Unfortunately, China’s height proved to be the difference in the contest as they kept attacking in the paint. 

Flores finished with four points to lead the way followed by three points from Vosotros. Joseph Eriobu and de Leon had two points apiece. 

Gilas will face top-ranked Mongolia in the quarterfinals, Sunday at 3:25 PM.