Pagpupugay 1954: Philippines falters against USA in FIBA World

Editor's Note: #Pagpupugay1954 is a series paying tribute to the Philippine national basketball team to the 1954 FIBA World Championship, which featured the best-ever finish by an Asian team in any world basketball competition. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the historic campaign, GMA News Online will release a series of stories following the exploits of the squad as if they were happening in real time. 

 

27 October 1954

 

The Philippine national team suffered its second straight defeat in the 1954 FIBA World Championship, dropping a 56-43 result against powerhouse United States in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

It was a gallant effort for the Philippine squad, which went toe-to-toe in the first half against the taller Americans, 25-22. But USA, which won silver in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1950, used its superior height to break away in the second half.

 

Team captain Lauro Mumar outfoxed his opponents to lead the Philippines with 14 points, while "The Big Difference" Caloy Loyzaga added 12. Mariano Tolentino chipped in 11 points, but no other Filipino player scored more than two.

 

Free throws continued to be the waterloo for coach Herminio "Herr" Silva's boys, who shot just 17-of-35 (48.6 percent) from the foul line. In contrast, USA went 14-of-20 (70 percent).

 

The Philippines advanced the final round after finishing second in Group A at 1-1. The Filipinos shot down Paraguay, 64-52, in their first game, before faltering against the host team, 99-62, in their second outing. The Brazilians handed the Philippines a ticket into the next round after defeating Paraguay, 61-52.

 

It was the toughest game yet for the Americans in the tournament. The favorites heading into the competition, USA beat up Canada, 59-37, in their first game before routing Peru, 73-51, in their second match.

 

The Philippines figures to have a lighter matchup in its next game against Formosa on October 29. The two teams are familiar with one another, as the Philippines defeated the team carrying the banner of Republic of China for the gold medal in the Asian Games in Manila earlier in the year. — JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

USA (56) - Minter 15, Born 8, Edward 7, Stratton 6, Johnson 6, Kelley 4, Penwell 4, Retherford 4, Hamilton 2, Sheets 0, Gott 0.

 

Philippines (43) - Mumar 14, Loyzaga 12, Tolentino 11, Flores 2, Bautista 2, Manulat 2, Rabat 0, Benjamin 0, Barretto 0, Saldana 0, Amador 0, Genato 0.

Halftime: 25-22