MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas capped off its week-long campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup without a win. It stumbled on Iran, 95-75, in the classification round last night at the Wukesong Sports Center in Beijing, China.
It was a heartbreaking campaign for the Joseller “Yeng” Guiao-mentored national men’s basketball team. It dropped four of its five assignments in the competition in lopsided fashion.
The Philippine side was still in the thick of things in the opening round as triples by Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, Gabe Norwood, and Kiefer Ravena gave them a 19-17 edge but the Iranians found the stride to take a 30-24 advantage.
Gilas struggled offensively in the second period while the Iranians were easily connecting their shots from inside and outside. The lead went up to 58-34 by halftime break.
Iranian broke the game wide open further in the second half with Hamed Haddadi imposing his presence against the smaller Philippines defender. The lead reached its largest at 29 points.
Haddadi finished the match with 19 points.
Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami added 17 markers while Mohammad Jamshidijafarabadi and Behnam Yakhchalidehkordi had 16 and 14, respectively.
Robert Bolick Jr. top-scored with 15 points, while Blatche did not fared well again offensively for the national men’s basketball team; he finished with just 12 markers./PN
