MANILA – Meralco Bolts-Philippines bowed out of the 2018 FIBA Asia Champions Cup semifinals after losing to Petrochimi-Iran 74-79 at Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
But Monday night’s defeat was still an improvement from their fifth-place finish last year. The Filipino players may even salvage the third place if they win against South Korea’s SK Knights.
It was a seesaw battle for both teams since the start. The Philippines led narrowly at the end of each of the first three quarters and were still up by 3 with over seven minutes left.
The game was tied 66-all with less than four minutes when the Iranians unloaded a 6-0 scoring run for a 72-66 edge. The Philippines got close 72-74 after a 3 by Diamond Stone.
Despite opportunities to force a deadlock, the Bolts were unable to get a decent shot, while Iran banked on the free throw line to increase their lead to 5 in the waning seconds of the game.
The Philippines also failed to get a much-needed break late in the game with Allen Durham fouling out after being tagged with a technical foul for his small altercation with Iranian big man Rouzbeh Argavan.
Durham finished the match with double-double 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Stone and Garvo Lanete chipped in 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Norman Black-mentored Philippine team.
Behnam Yakhchali led Iran with 29 points and eight rebounds. Sajjad Mashayekhi added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Asghar Kardoust supplied 10 markers and eight caroms./PN
