Gilas sweeps Taiwan teams for second win in Jones Cup
GILAS Pilipinas survived the stubborn Taiwan B, 93-82, to sweep the host teams in the 39th William R. Jones Cup invitational tournament on Monday at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium in Taiwan.
Filipino-Canadian Matthew Wright, who had a team-high 17 points in PH 5’s 88-72 victory over Taiwan A on Sunday, once again led the squad with 21 points highlighted by 5-of-9 shooting from the three-point area, while Roger Pogoy tallied 15 points as the Philippines improved its win-loss record to 2-1.
The host team kept pace with the Filipinos in the first half but Gilas 5 unloaded a 9-0 start at the start of the second half capped by Mike Myers’ putback to erect a 53-44 lead with 7:43 remaining in the third period.
Taiwan B responded with its own surge and cut the lead of the Filipinos to just one, 74-73 with still 7:15 to go in the payoff period.
Pogoy buried a triple and Jia Jalalon converted a difficult jumper at the baseline to ignite an 11-2 exchange to push the PH 5 to a comfortable 88-77 advantage heading to the final two minutes of the game.
Kiefer Ravena sealed the victory for coach Chot Reyes with a lay-up, 90-79, with 1:06 remaining.
The 6’8 Myers had a better offensive effort with 14 points on six-of-eight shooting from the field and added 14 rebounds, while Jalalon chipped in 13 points and five assists.
Ravena contributed 10 points and seven assists also for the Filipinos, who started slow as they committed six turnovers in the first quarter and trailed 18-20 entering the second period.
Ying Chung Yen finished with 17 points to lead Taiwan B, which remained winless after three games.
Reyes rested Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. due to a minor sprained ankle. Mac Belo also sat out the match.
Gilas 5 shoots for its third straight win on Tuesday against Japan at 1 p.m.