A cold start spelled doom for Gilas Pilipinas as it opened its campaign in the 33rd FIBA Asia Cup with a heartbreaking 87-95 loss to Chinese Taipei early Wednesday (Manila time) at the King Abdullah Sports Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Gilas couldn’t find its rhythm early and gave the hot-shooting Taiwanese an opportunity to build a comfortable 17-point first quarter cushion that the Filipinos tried but failed to overcome the rest of the way.

Chinese Taipei had all the answers for Gilas’ repeated uprisings to join New Zealand at the top of Group D.

Gilas gave Chinese Taipei a scare midway into the final period with Kevin Quiambao hitting key baskets including a three-pointer that cut its deficit to 80-74.

But naturalized player Justin Brownlee fouled out in the next play and Chen Ying-Chung answered with five straight points to quell the uprising for a repeat win over Gilas, which they beat at home last February in the third window of the continental tournament’s qualifier.        

Ying-Chung punished the Philippines with 34 points on 10-of-17 field goal shooting including six triples for Chinese Taipei. Brandon Gilbeck had 16 markers and nine rebounds while Lin Ting-Chien and Robert Hinton added 14 each.  

The Taiwanese uncorked a 25-6 run in the first period, punctuated by an Adam Hinton floater with two minutes left for a 25-8 advantage.

Brownlee kept Gilas from sinking to a deeper hole with his offense as the Nationals narrowed the gap, 36-32, after AJ Edu converted a layup with 2:34 remaining in the second.

Robert Hinton quickly answered with five points in Chinese Taipei’s 7-0 response to regain control for a nine-point lead at the half.

Brownlee had 19 points and seven rebounds, Quiambao had 17 while Scottie Thompson added 16 markers in a lost cause. Gilas committed 16 turnovers and was whistled for 26 fouls. 

Gilas will try its luck to bounce back against the Tall Blacks, who beat the Iraqis, 100-78, late Thursday (Manila time).