By Jose Miguel Villanueva
Gilas Pilipinas finally outmuscled long-time rival Iran with a strong 87-73, last Monday, Sept. 28, in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships held in Changsha, China.
With their victory, Gilas secured a quarterfinals slot and is poised to enter the top seed in the playoffs. By upsetting the previously undefeated Iranians, the Philippines led Group E with a 3-1 standing. The last time Gilas Pilipinas was able to defeat the Iranians was back in the 2012 Jones Cup.
The Philippine national team trailed behind Iran during the first quarter, and a foul by Andre Blatche allowed the Iranians to seal the quarter with the score at 22-25.
Gilas still trailed behind their opponents during the second quarter, but a 3-pointer by Ranidel de Ocampo trimmed Iran’s lead down to 6, with the score card at 37-43 by the halftime.
While Iran led by as much as 10 points during the third quarter, two straight triples by Terrence Romeo opened Gilas’ offensive run as the Filipinos finally got the lead, 58-57, as the quarter started to wind down. Gilas readied itself for the fourth quarter by widening the score gap to 65-60.
The fourth quarter saw Gilas ferociously attacking the basket and contesting the boards with the taller Iranians, edging them out of the rebounds 40-39. A relentless Gilas went on 14-point run at the game’s last minute. With 32 seconds left during the final frame, a free throw by Romeo solidified Gilas’ huge lead at 87-70 as Iran ended the game with a defiant three-point shot with the Filipinos triumphant at 87-73.
Jayson Castro’s star shined the brightest for the white and blue troop as he finished with 26 points, three assists, and three steals. Meanwhle, Andre Blatche chipped in 18 points and seven boards, while Terrence Romeo posted 15 points.
Iranian Forward Mohammad Nik Khahbahrami led his team with 21 points, while veteran Mahdi Kamrani posted a paltry 11 points.
Gilas Pilipinas will look to take the top seed in the playoffs as they will next go up against India on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Scores:
Philippines (87): Castro 26, Blatche 18, Romeo 15, Abueva 13, De Ocampo 5, Norwood 5, Hontiveros 3, Taulava 2, Thoss 0, Ganuelas 0, Pingris 0, Intal 0.
Iran (73): Khahbahrami 21, Mashayekhi 11, Kamrani 11, Haddadi 10, Davari 9, Jamshidijafarabadi 7, Davarpanahfardkarekani 2, Hassanzadeh Saberi 2, Yakhchalidehkordi 0, Afagh 0, Kardoustpoustinsaraei 0, Sahakian 0.
Quarter scores: 22-25, 37-43, 65-60, 87-73. The Millennial Post
The Philippine national team trailed behind Iran during the first quarter, and a foul by Andre Blatche allowed the Iranians to seal the quarter with the score at 22-25.
Gilas still trailed behind their opponents during the second quarter, but a 3-pointer by Ranidel de Ocampo trimmed Iran’s lead down to 6, with the score card at 37-43 by the halftime.
While Iran led by as much as 10 points during the third quarter, two straight triples by Terrence Romeo opened Gilas’ offensive run as the Filipinos finally got the lead, 58-57, as the quarter started to wind down. Gilas readied itself for the fourth quarter by widening the score gap to 65-60.
The fourth quarter saw Gilas ferociously attacking the basket and contesting the boards with the taller Iranians, edging them out of the rebounds 40-39. A relentless Gilas went on 14-point run at the game’s last minute. With 32 seconds left during the final frame, a free throw by Romeo solidified Gilas’ huge lead at 87-70 as Iran ended the game with a defiant three-point shot with the Filipinos triumphant at 87-73.
Jayson Castro’s star shined the brightest for the white and blue troop as he finished with 26 points, three assists, and three steals. Meanwhle, Andre Blatche chipped in 18 points and seven boards, while Terrence Romeo posted 15 points.
Iranian Forward Mohammad Nik Khahbahrami led his team with 21 points, while veteran Mahdi Kamrani posted a paltry 11 points.
Gilas Pilipinas will look to take the top seed in the playoffs as they will next go up against India on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Scores:
Philippines (87): Castro 26, Blatche 18, Romeo 15, Abueva 13, De Ocampo 5, Norwood 5, Hontiveros 3, Taulava 2, Thoss 0, Ganuelas 0, Pingris 0, Intal 0.
Iran (73): Khahbahrami 21, Mashayekhi 11, Kamrani 11, Haddadi 10, Davari 9, Jamshidijafarabadi 7, Davarpanahfardkarekani 2, Hassanzadeh Saberi 2, Yakhchalidehkordi 0, Afagh 0, Kardoustpoustinsaraei 0, Sahakian 0.
Quarter scores: 22-25, 37-43, 65-60, 87-73. The Millennial Post