Gilas outclassed by Aussies for winless third window

MANILA, Philippines -- Simply outmatched and overpowered. 

Gilas Pilipinas is heading to the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on a low after getting drubbed by World No. 6 Australia, 92-49, in their matchup Monday at the RAC Arena in Perth. 

The depleted Nationals, who played without naturalized star Justin Brownlee, showed some fight in the first half but could not keep up with the Boomers’ physical defense. 

This, as the Filipinos committed 18 turnovers in the defeat that led to 30 points for the Australians. 

The loss gave the Philippines their fourth straight loss in the qualifiers heading to the second round of the tournament. 

Dwight Ramos had nine points for the Philippines to lead the squad. However, he shot just 4-of-16 from the field. 

Kevin Quiambao and June Mar Fajardo had eight markers apiece. 

The Philippines was able to keep in step early on, with a triple by Kevin Quiambao tying things up at 8-all. 

But the Boomers finished the first frame with a 25-6 run to break the game wide open, 33-14. 

Gilas, however, kept themselves within striking distance, slicing the lead to 11, 23-35, after a split from the line by AJ Edu. 

The Nationals trailed by a manageable 14 points, 27-41, at the half, before the Aussies found their rhythm anew in the second half. 

As they continued to clamp down on defense, the shots started to fall and they left the Filipinos on the rear-view mirror. 

The 43-point spread at the end of the game was the biggest lead of the Boomers, which first came after a Keanu Pinder and-one play with 1:36 to go. 

With the loss, the Philippines finished the second round as the third seed of Group A with a 2-4 win-loss record. 

Gilas will next take on Jordan and Iran in August.