Bocaue, Bulacan– After a stunning win over sixth seed Brazil early Saturday, Team Pilipinas fell to Mongolia later in the day in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup at the Philippine Arena here.
The Mongolians relied on the late baskets from Tserenbaatar Enkhtaivan to frustrate the hosts in the last two minutes, 21-17, in the men's matches on Day 2.
The 6'6" Enkhtaivan had six points, including two charities which gave the 11th seeded Mongolians a 19-14 lead in the final 2:55.
Christian Standhardinger tried to keep the 19th seed host team close with a two-point bomb and a drive, 17-19, in the next play.
But Enkhtaivan buried an outside shot worth two points with 9.2 seconds left to seal the win for the Mongolians.
“We had our chances. It's all about knowing how to win in the end. Malaki ang experience ng Mongolia,” said Team Pilipinas coach Ronnie Magsanoc, whose wards defeated the Brazilians, 15-7, earlier.
Tsenguunbayar Gotov led Mongolia with seven points, while Stanley Pringle Jr. banged in a game-high six points for the Philippines.
The Philippines remained hopeful of reaching the knockout stage, as they are now in a three-way tie for second spot in Pool C.
They share a 1-1 win-loss record with Russia and Mongolia.
The Philippines will brace for tougher games against Canada and Russia on Monday.
Fourteenth seed Canada has taken the lead in the Pool after upsetting third seeded Russia, 20-17, with Steve Sir dominating with 12 points.
Michael Linklater broke a 17-all deadlock for Canada with a two-pointer before Sir stole the ball off Victor Pavlenko and drove in the winning shot.
Sir had nine points when they won over Mongolia, 21-15.
Russia stayed in contention after it repulsed winless Brazil, 20-16, with Dmitry Korshakov eking out eight points.
Meanwhile, Poland and Estonia are unbeaten in Pool B, after the Polish team downed Slovenia, 21-17, and Indonesia, 22-6.
Estonia, on the other hand, prevailed over Japan, 17-11, and Indonesia, 22-20.
In Pool D, Croatia shares the lead (2-0) with Latvia following a 22-7 crushing of Jordan, and a 22-7 demolition of Nigeria.
Latvia survived Ukraine, 21-18, and Jordan, 22-13.
