E-Gilas advances to FIBA Esports Open II finals

E-Gilas Pilipinas barged into the finals of the FIBA Esports Open II Southeast Asia/Oceania conference on Sunday, November 15 after winning all but one of its 6 elimination round games.

Point guard Aljon “Shintarou” Cruzin once again delivered for the Philippines as he dropped 18 points on a 3-of-5 clip from downtown in a 54-49 escape over Indonesia.

After getting crushed by a combined 43 points in its first two games against the Philippines on Saturday, Indonesia came prepared and kept in step with E-Gilas all throughout the game.

With Indonesia down by only 6 points, 46-52, Rafif “Rafifsa” Ario sank a booming triple to cut their deficit to a single possession game with only 31 seconds remaining. 

Cruzin, however, answered with two crucial free throws on the other end to ice the game for the Philippines and crush all hopes of an Indonesia comeback.

Rial “Rial” Polog Jr and Clark “Clark” Banzon also came up big for E-Gilas with 13 and 12 points as the Philippines wrapped up the two-day eliminations solo on top at 5-1.

Rocky “Rak” Braña and Custer “Custer” Galas also conjoined for 11 points in the victory.

E-Gilas then breezed through a 76-45 romp over Australia, which it will face in the best-of-three finals later on Sunday.

Australia ended the elimination round with a 4-2 record, while Indonesia failed to notch a win and wrapped up its campaign with a 0-6 card. – Martin Mendoza/Rappler.com