Some members of the 2019 World Cup roster watched as Gilas Pilipinas fell at the hands of the same tormentor Angola, 80-70, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 27. 

Gilas guard Kiefer Ravena, who was part of the lineup that suffered an 84-81 beating in overtime against Angola four years ago along with Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, couldn’t help but lament the missed opportunity of being able to accomplish the job in front of the roaring home crowd. 

The squad, led by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who carried the Filipinos’ offense with 21 points despite evidently struggling himself on a 7-of-22 shooting, ran out of steam after the opening period. 

“With three or four players from that team of 2019, some of the players who played at the 2019 World Cup, watching today, sayang,” said Ravena. 

“Kasi parang gusto talaga namin makabawi for them. But that was part of the motivation bouncing back for those players who gave their best from the 2019 edition,” he added. 

Former Gilas captain Gabe Norwood was among the 12,784 passionate Filipino fans in attendance who prayed and cheered as the team put up a late fightback in the last two minutes of the match. 

"I guess, we let one slip. It’s really tough to compete. If you’re down 17 points with two minutes to go, it’s really tough," said Ravena.

The Nationals absorbed their seventh straight loss in the FIBA World Cup and their second in a row in the pool play, sinking them at the bottom of Group A with a 0-2 record. 

Interestingly, the Philippines' final group stage fixture is set against another familiar foe in world No. 10 Italy, which they also faced in the previous edition that ended in a painful 108-62 loss. 

"But we gotta focus on the present, which is preparing for Italy. We can’t be emotional at this time where we have one more game left. Sayang lang. Pero kailangan bumawi ulit. Now we recover, forget about this and prepare for Italy," he concluded.