Gilas Pilipinas bows to Finland in tuneup game

Gilas Pilipinas mounted a strong comeback but Finland showed better team play as the Filipinos fell, 89-85, on Wednesday in a tuneup match in Tallinn, Estonia.

With little time to adjust after its 81-71 loss to Estonia the previous night, Gilas trailed 25-11 at the close of the first period after another slow start.

But just like what the national team did in the game against Estonia, Gilas fought back with its own run to level the count at 31-all.

The Philippine men’s basketball team bowed to Finland, 85-89, during their tuneup match on Wednesday night in Estonia. PHOTO TAKEN FROM SBP FACEBOOK PAGE

Finnish playmaker Miro Little, who led Finland with 19 points, made the right plays down the stretch, including a layup to douse cold water in the Philippines' late rally.

Wingman Jacob Grandison added 18 points while Pertu Blongren scored 10 points for Finland.

Dwight Ramos led Gilas with 15 points, naturalized player Justin Brownlee had 11, and Scottie Thompson added 10.

Thompson missed the game against Estonia due to back spasms.