MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas survived a third quarter scare from Thailand to pull off a 93-69 victory in the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup qualifier at the Khalifa Sports City in Manama, Bahrain last night.
Javier Gomez de Liano top-scored with 19 points, including four triples while brother Juan Gomez added 14 markers as the Gilas Pilipinas remained perfect in Group A with a 3-0 win-loss slate.
Dwight Ramos followed up his perfect showing the last time out with 13 points, Joseph Matthew Nieto came up with 12 markers while Calvin Oftana and George Isaac Go ended up with nine points each.
Gilas Pilipinas surged to a 13-1 start with baskets from Nieto, Go, Justine Baltazar, Rey Suerte, and Ramos. Thailand rallied to within 14-18, but triples by Dave Ildefonso and Juan gave the Philippines a 27-19 edge.
Philippines and Thailand traded baskets at the onset of the second period as the former remained on top at 39-29 before Gilas pulled to a 53-34 halftime edge on triples by Oftana.
Thailand, however, made a huge rally in the third period as they came to within 64-50, but baskets from the De Liano brothers and Suerte allowed the Philippines to build 75-52 edge.
Gilas Pilipinas went for the kill in the fourth period with a triple and a three-point play by Javier and inside hits from Ildefonso and Go for an 89-65 advantage.
Chanatip Jakrawan tallied double-double 34 points and 12 rebounds while Wattana Suttisin added 13 markers as Thailand suffered its fourth defeat in the group.
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 93 – Ja. Gomez de Liano 19, Ju. Gomez de Liano 14, Ramos 13, Nieto 12, Oftana 9, Go 9, Ildefonso 5, Suerte 4, Paras 4, Baltazar 2, Carino 2, Tungcab 0.
THAILAND 69 – Jakrawan 34, Suttisin 13, Muangboon 9, Jaisanuk 8, Chungyampin 5, Ghogar 0, Klaewnarong 0, Lakhan 0, Langsui 0, Wongsawangthan 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 27-19; Q2, 53-34; Q3, 75-52; Q4, 93-69./PN
