Gilas lost control of the match in the final seconds.
The Men's 3x3 team of Gilas Pilipinas looked like they were on their way to an opening game win against Iran in the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup on Friday. That is, until they collapsed in the final 90 seconds of the game.
With 1:30 remaining in the game, Almond Vosotros scored from beyond the arc to put Gilas up, 11-7. It would be the last basket of the Filipinos as their Iranian foes fought back to snatch a 14-11 win in Singapore.
The fourth-seeded Filipinos, composed of Vosotros, Samboy De Leon, Jorey Napoles, and Brandon Bates, got into foul trouble early on. And that would be enough leverage for the No. 12 Iran to pull off the upset.
After Vosotros' long-range bomb that gave them the four-point cushion, Iran immediately regrouped, leading to a quick and-one play by Piter Girgoorian. At that point, Gilas had already reached 10 team fouls, so Iran was awarded with two free throws and ball possession.
The Iranians would then get another basket to give them the lead, and ultimately the victory, as Vosotros missed a technical free throw and two-point shot.
Bates led the way for Gilas with 5 points, while Vosotros and Napoles added 4 points and 2 points, respectively.
Gilas is now in a do-or-die situation. They need to win their next game against No. 5 Qatar tonight at 8:45 p.m. in order to make it to the playoffs on Sunday.