MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas recovered from the 2021 King Abdullah Cup opener loss to Egypt after trouncing Saudi Arabia, 77-62, last night at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, Jordan.
Justine Baltazar top-scored with 16 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the three-point line, while Angelo Kouame and George Isaac Go added 10 markers each as the Philippines climbed to a 1-1 slate.
The victory is a huge bounce back to the national men’s basketball team’s 73-60 defeat to Egypt on Monday night, where the Filipino cagers struggled on the field with just 35-percent shooting from the field.
Gilas surged to a 14-4 start with inside hits from Kouame and outside conversions by Go and Jordan Heading. Saudi Arabia countered with a 10-0 blast to tie the score at 14-all, but five straight points by Baltazar earned the Philippines a 19-14 lead.
Gilas started the second quarter strong on triples by Baltazar, William Navarro, and Rhon Jay Abarrientos to score 33-22. It stretched to 43-26 after an inside hit by Go. However, a late rally by Saudi trimmed the deficit to 43-30 at the half.
Saudi Arabia continued to hit baskets at the onset of the third quarter and scraped the deficit to 39-49. Gilas unloaded three-point conversions from Go and Sean Ildefonso to build a 60-46 advantage.
A basket by Dwight Ramos further stretched Gilas’ lead to 69-49 early in the fourth. Saudi Arabia made a huge run to come to within 59-69, but a triple by Carl Tamayo and inside hits by Kouame and Go ensured the win for the Philippines.
Mohammed Alsuwailem finished with 18 points, while Khalid M Abdel Gabar and Nassir Abo Jalas posted 12 and 10 points, respectively, as Saudi Arabia remained winless.
The Thomas Baldwin-mentored national men’s basketball team will continue its King Abdullah Cup campaign against Jordan-B tonight, Tunisia on Thursday night, and Jordan-A on Friday evening.
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 77 – Baltazar 16, Kouame 10, Go 10, Ildefonso 8, Ramos 7, Heading 6, Ravena 6, Tamayo 5, Abarrientos 3, Navarro 3, Chiu 2, Belangel 1, Suerte 0, M. Nieto 0.
SAUDI ARABIA 62 – Alsuwailem 18, Gabar 12, Jalas 10, Kadi 8, Shubayli 5, Mo. Almarwani 2, Ma. Almarwani 2, Albargawi 2, Alhosawe 2, Belal 1, Alsager 0, Altalabi 0, Brnawi 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
19-14; 43-30; 65-49./PN
