SUMMARY
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HONG KONG – Gilas Pilipinas passed the first test of its four-year quest with flying colors.
Banking on a big third quarter, the Nationals pulled away from host Hong Kong and claimed a 94-64 win for a rousing start in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Tsuen Wan Stadium on Thursday, February 22.
Head coach Tim Cone underscored the importance of building a solid foundation in his bid to bring the national team to greater heights and his wards delivered to gain an early lead in Group B.
Justin Brownlee, Kai Sotto, and Dwight Ramos showed the way as the Filipinos unleashed a 30-9 blast in the third quarter to break the game wide open after holding a slim 41-37 lead at halftime.
“We were quite surprised. I thought we came out a little tentative, but then in the second half, I thought we relaxed a little bit, played better, defended better, and got on a little bit of a run,” said Cone.
Back in action after serving a three-month suspension brought by his failed doping test in the Asian Games, Brownlee churned out all-around numbers of 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
Sotto also rose to the occasion in the absence of injured big men June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu as he supplied a double-double of 13 points of 15 rebounds with 2 blocks in the 30-point romp.
Brownlee and Sotto took charge in the first half before Ramos – who finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists – sparked the Filipinos’ third quarter breakaway.
Ramos hauled down an offensive rebound, scored a floater, made a steal, dished out an assist, and sank a three-pointer in succession for a 60-45 lead and the Nationals never looked back.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Jamie Malonzo and Chris Newsome pushed Gilas Pilipinas’ lead to 71-46 going into the final salvo before young gun Kevin Quiambao helped the Filipinos close it out strong.
Quiambao, the reigning UAAP MVP and the only collegiate player in the team, scattered 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Philippines cruised the rest of the way.
“I just stayed ready throughout the game. The first half was kind of shaky for us. But we adjusted in the second half,” said Quiambao.
Filipino fans in Hong Kong came out to support and the national team treated them to a superb showcase of unselfish basketball.
All of the 11 players who suited up for the Nationals scored as they consciously shared the ball, with 33 of their 37 field goals coming off assists.
Scottie Thompson topped the playmaking department, tallying 9 assists on top of 5 points, while Chris Newsome and CJ Perez dished out 3 assists each and combined for 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Leung Shiu Wah topscored for Hong Kong with 15 points built on five triples, while Duncan Reid – who saw action in the PBA as a member of guest team Bay Area Dragons – netted 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks.
The Scores
Philippines 94 – Brownlee 16, Quiambao 15, Sotto 13, Malonzo 11, Ramos 9, Newsome 7, Aguilar 6, Oftana 5, Thompson 5, Perez 5, Tamayo 2.
Hong Kong 64 – Leung 15, Xu 13, Reid 12, Yeung 12, Yang 5, Tsoi 4, So 3, Ho 0, Liu 0. Tam 0. Wong 0, Chan 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 41-37, 71-46, 94-64.
– Rappler.com
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