GILAS PILIPINAS ROUTS TAIWAN
Philippines overcomes slow start in Chinese Taipei for third win in Fiba World Cup Asia qualifiers
A recent survey showed the Philippines is the second most hated country in Chinese Taipei. Gilas Pilipinas may have pushed the country a spot higher.
Gilas Pilipinas overcame a slow start with a strong second quarter and answered every Chinese Taipei run with a bigger run of their own for a 93-71 rout in their Fiba World Cup Asia qualifiers.
The Philippines improved to 3-1 to stay in second place in Group B, next to Australia, which is at 4-1. The Philippines suffered its lone loss to the Aussies last February. Japan is third at 1-4, while the host is dead last at 1-3.
It looked like Chinese Taipei was finally going to earn its second win, when they took the lead before settling for a 19-16 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
“We knew Taipei was going to start like a house on fire. I told them to just be patient when they start strong,” coach Chot Reyes said in a post-game interview.
Andray Blatche, Jason Castro and June Mar Fajardo teamed up in the second as Gilas slowly chipped away at the lead, taking a seven-point edge at the end of the half, 44-37.
In the third, Spencer Davis had four straight points but Fajardo answered with six straight points. Gabe Norwood hit a three for a 52-41 lead. It was going to be the story for the rest of the game as Gilas found an answer every time the host threatened to cut the lead.
After cutting it to six, 66-66, Norwood hit a jumper to end the third, and Gilas picked up from where it left in the fourth, limiting the host to 11 points in the final period for the easy win.
Fajardo led Gilas with 22 points on a 9 of 12 shooting, while Castro had 15, missing just three of 10 shots. Terrence Romeo had 14 and Blatche had 13. /