Gilas Pilipinas' Struggles Continue, Lose to Tunisia in 2019 FIBA World Cup

Gilas Pilipinas' struggles in the 2019 FIBA World Cup continued Friday with an 86-67 loss to Tunisia in the classification round. 

Tunisia had five players reach double-figures in scoring, led by Omar Abada's 16-point showing. Salah Mejri added a double-double with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and 12 rebounds. 

The Philippines has lost each of its four games in the World Cup. Three of its four losses have come by a combined 124 points, including a 126-67 defeat at the hands of Serbia on Sept. 2.

Andray Blatche was the Philippines' lone bright spot, with 24 points and 11 rebounds. 

Prior to the game, Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao told reporters his team's strategy would be to take advantage of Tunisia's short bench.

"The only thing I can reveal is we know [Tunisia has] a short rotation," Guiao said. "If we force them to work harder, probably that's going to give us an advantage in the endgame. If we are able to force them to work harder, maybe they'll get tired... maybe they'll have problems maintaining their intensity or energy."

Tunisia had six players on the floor for at least 18 minutes. Five of them did most of the heavy lifting on offense, scoring 61 of the team's 86 points. Mejri and Makram Ben Romdhane had 22 of their 41 rebounds. 

Per ESPN's Noel Zarate, Tunisia is at its best when using its defense to set up its methodical halfcourt offense: 

"Using Mejri as their primary option, Tunisian coach Mario Palma (who steered Jordan to its improbable bronze medal finish during the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship) has been known for using his defense to fuel his offense and slowing the game down considerably to gain its necessary edge. Tunisia is averaging 3.0 bpg which is good for 13th in the competition in that category while tying for tenth in steals."

The formula worked against the Philippines, which shot just 40 percent overall and turned the ball over 15 times. 

Gilas' defeat could end its hopes of qualifying for the Olympics, which were already slim coming into Friday. It had to win out in the classification round and have the other Asian teams lose their final two games to have a chance. 

The Philippines could get an invite to one of the four 2020 Olympic qualifying tournaments next July, but its resume at the World Cup isn't an encouraging sign. 

This is just Tunisia's second appearance in the tournament, following a 24th-place showing in 2010. The country has earned its first two wins ever in the tournament this year and has kept its hopes for a spot in the 2020 Olympics alive. 

Combined with Iran's win over Angola Friday, Tunisia has taken sole possession of first place in Group N with a 2-2 record and six points.

Tunisia will look to win the group outright Sunday against Angola in the final game of the World Cup for both teams. The Philippines will go for its first win of the tournament Sunday against Iran.