Gilas absorb 21-point beating vs Lebanon

Gilas Pilipinas succumbed to Lebanon, 54-75, for its first loss in the Doha International Cup early Sunday at the QU Sports & Events Complex in Qatar.

Gilas enjoyed a 48-43 lead with 1:45 left in the third quarter before Ali Mehzer drained a triple to spark an 11-0 run at the half for the Cedars.

Despite holding onto a slim one-point lead, 51-50, with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter, the Lebanese never looked back after Jad Khalil led a 15-0 run to bury Gilas in the game.

Khalil and Gerard Hadidian both scored 18 points each as the Lebanese played without stars Wael Arakji and Omari Spellman.

Justin Brownlee had a double-double game of 21 points and 11 rebounds as Gilas now has a 1-1 win-loss record.

The Philippines will wrap up its campaign against Egypt on Monday, 17 February, at 1:30 a.m. (Manila time) at the same venue.

This tournament serves as part of Gilas' preparation for the third round of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.