MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas leaned on a huge second quarter breakaway to wallop Thailand, 93-61, in the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifiers at the Khalifa Sport City in Manama, Bahrain last night.
Dwight Ramos had a perfect outing with 20 points, on seven-of-seven shooting while Justine Baltazar and Juan Gomez de Liano contributed 12 markers apiece for the national men’s basketball team.
Gilas Pilipinas opened a 12-8 lead in the opening quarter on hits from Baltazar and Kobe Paras. Thailand notched the lead twice at 14-12 and 19-18 before the Philippines moved up 21-19 on a three-point play by George Isaac Go.
Early hits by De Liano in the second period allowed the Philippines to rise 31-26. The lead blew for the Philippines, 53-29, at the half via conversions from Ramos and Baltazar.
It was all Gilas Pilipinas since then with Ramos and Baltazar dominating from inside while Rey Suerte and Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano making their presence felt to widen the advantage.
Montiem Wongsawangtham finished with 17 points while Naikor Jaisanuk and Wattana Suttisin added 12 and 10 markers respectively for Thailand.
The Joseph Uichico-mentored Gilas, which now has a 2-0 record in Group A, will face Thailand anew in their second game in the Manama bubble on Monday evening.
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 93 – Ramos 20, Baltazar 12, Ju. De Liano 12, Ja. De Liano 9, Suerte 9, Mi. Nieto 8, Go 6, Carino 4, Ma. Nieto 4, Navarro 4, Paras 3, Ildefonso 2.
THAILAND 61 – Wongsawangtham 17, Jaisanuk 12, Suttisin 10, Langsui 6, Chungyampin 5, Jakrawan 5, Muangboon 4, Klaewnarong 2, Ghogar 0, Lakhan 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 21-19; Q2, 53-29; Q3, 75-43; Q4, 93-61./PN
