Gilas Pilipinas drew big points from Angelo Kouame and Isaac Go but still fell to Egypt, 58-73, on Monday in the opener of 10th King Abdullah Cup at the Prince Hamzah Sport Hall in Amman, Jordan.
Kouame, who had 13 points with Go, also had 11 rebounds for Gilas.
Go made seven points during an 8-2 blast that cut a 12-point deficit to just 58-64.
But the Egyptians knocked in eight consecutive points, with Ali Ahmad’s triple capping the run and giving them a 72-58 edge with 41 seconds left to play.
Amro Mohammad Abd Alhalem powered Egypt with 14 points, while Omar Saeed Arabei provided 11 points.
It was Gilas’ first game back since the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament-Belgrade.
Dwight Ramos, back to the team after sitting out the OQT due to a groin injury, shot nine points, and had five rebounds, four assists and a block.
Another returnee, Thirdy Ravena, taking a leave as a Japan B.League import, came up with eight markers and eight boards.
Gilas seeks to bounce back against Saudi Arabia in their Wednesday encounter.