Gilas outplays Japan, 77-71

Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro delivered the big plays down the stretch and Gilas Pilipinas held off Japan, 7771, last night to start its campaign on a high note in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers at the Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Blatche converted a three-point shot and dished out two assists while Castro scored five in the final four minutes, helping Gilas prevent Japan's final push and survive a

tale of two halves in the first match of the Group B qualifiers.

Castro had 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while Blatche recovered from a series of miscues early in the third to produce 13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks despite a 4-of-11 shooting and six turnovers.

Gilas won the first of two games in the first window of qualifiers despite losing a 14-point first half lead and allowing Japan to take the driver’s seat thrice in the third period in front of a predominant home crowd.

“We have high respect for the Japanese team so we knew we're in for a tough match,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes, whose team will fly home to host Taiwan Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“When we had a nice lead, we knew they will come back and when they did come back to grab the lead, we stayed calm, we did not panic and I think that was the most important part of the game,” he added.

A running jumper by Matthew Wright at the buzzer gave Gilas a 37-28 halftime lead but Japan recovered from a 27-percent shooting in the first half with a 12-0 run to open the third and go ahead 40-37. It took a while before the Filipinos were able regain control with Blatche ending the third with his team up 59-55 on a three-pointer.

Japan closed in at 63-60 on a Daiki Tanaka triple with over six minutes to play. The Philippines countered with seven straight points, ending with Blatche scoring a triple and dishing off to June Mar Fajardo for a reverse layup to make it 70-60, 3:45 remaining.

Blatche found Castro for a short runner for a 72-66 entering the final two minutes, only to see Yuki Togashi responded by nailing a triple to cut the margin in half. Castro would answer with a three-pointer from the right elbow to bring the lead back to six in Gilas' favor, 75-69 with 1:15 remaining.

Hiejima produced 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists while Tanaka and naturalized player Ira Brown added 10 points each for Japan.

PHILIPPINES 77 – Castro 20, Blatche 13, Wright 12, Norwood 10, Fajardo 6, Pogoy 5, Abueva 5, Ravena 1, Rosario 0, Alas 0.

JAPAN 71 – Hiejima 20, Tanaka 10, Brown 10, Togashi 8, Baba 7, Harimoto 7, Shinoyama 4, Takeuchi J. 3, Ota 2, Furukawa 0, Uto 0.

Quarters: 18-10; 37-28; 59-55; 77-71.