Hong Kong started their Fiba Asia Cup qualifying campaign with a 94-64 loss at home to the Philippines on Thursday.
Facing the reigning Asian Games champions at Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, the city’s men’s team were on the back foot from the start, then recovered to lead before half-time only for the Philippines to pull away thereafter.
The hosts found themselves 9-0 down inside the opening two minutes and trailed by as many as 11 points in the opening quarter.
Four first-half three-pointers from Leung Shiu-wah helped to keep his side in the game, before Yeung Shui-hung, making his international debut, gave Hong Kong the lead at 30-29 before half-time.
Trailing only 41-37 at the break, Hong Kong lost significant ground in the third quarter as the visitors went all out for points, pouring in 30 while limiting the home team to nine.
The final period saw the underdogs match their highest-scoring quarter, with 18, but the Philippines finished 30 points clear.
Hong Kong’s players depart for Auckland on Friday to face New Zealand in the second of their six qualifiers on Sunday.
The Tall Blacks defeated Chinese Taipei 89-69 in Taipei in their first game on Thursday.
