Gilas Pilipinas upsets Iran, 87-73, in FIBA Asia championship

MANILA – The road to 2016 Rio Olympics grew brighter for the Gilas Pilipinas after they upset mighty Iran, 87-73, last Sept. 28, in the ongoing FIBA Asia Championship second round elimination in Changsha City, China.
The Filipinos showed a big heart and a never-say-die spirit as they recovered from as much as 10-point down to end their five-game losing streak against the Asia’s reigning champion.

Down by six points, 37-43, at the halftime, playmakers Jason Castro and Terrence Romeo teamed up with Andre Blatche to lead the Filipinos’ big run in the third period to grab the upperhand, 65-60, going into the final canto.
A day later, Gilas Pilipinas put up a tight defense in the latter part of the second half to clobber India, 99-65, Tuesday at the close of Group E elimination in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.With the victory, the Filipinos entered the quarterfinals as top seed.
India had a good start even leading after the first quarter, 17-16, before the Filipinos got their bearing and proceeded to take over.
Coach Tab Baldwin’s wards had a strong second period to take the lead at the halftime break, and they broke the game wide open in the last two quarters, building a lead as high as 37 points.
Terrence Romeo spearheaded the Philippines’ onslaught with 20 points to lead six Filipino players in double-digit scoring.
Andray Blatche also did well, putting up 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 steals, while Ranidel De Ocampo tallied 13 points of his own on 6-of-7 field goal shooting.
The Indians, winners in their previous two games, leaned on the troika of Vishesh Bhrguvanshi, Amjyot Singh, and Amrit Pal Singh, who combined for 50 points.
India was still within striking distance at the 8:24 mark of the fourth period, 66-58, but the Philippines shifted into high gear and put up a tight defense that made the Indians commit costly passing errors.
Coach Baldwin’s squad unloaded a 29-2 blast in the next six minutes to put the game beyond reach.The Filipinos kept the pace in the fourth period and frustrated the defending champion with solid offense boosted by Calvin Abueva’s strong presence under inside the paint.
Castro spearheaded the Philippines with 26 points, highlighted with impressive 11-of-18 field goal shooting while Blatche added 18 points and Romeo shared with 15 markers.
Ranidel de Ocampo led the rebounding for the Filipinos with 10 rebounds as they limited Iran’s main man Hamed Haddadi to just 10 points and 7 rebounds before he was fouled out with 3:51 minutes left in the game.
The champion of the tournament will earn ticket to represent Asia in the prestigious 2016 Rio Olympics Games in Brazil.
Gilas Pilipinas survived Japan’s stinging defense for a 73-66 victory on Sunday at the start of the FIBA Asia Championship second round in Changsha City, China.
Despite playing with right ankle injury, Andray Blatche anchored a 9-2 run as the Filipinos pulled away from 64-all enroute to their third straight win in the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Blatche twisted his right ankle in the second quarter but still finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Ranidel de Ocampo opened the deciding 9-2 run with a three-point shot while Calvin Abueva and Jason Castro contributed from the foul line and Blatche sealed from a field goal.
The Philippines will face next undefeated Iran, the tournament’s defending champion, on Monday.
Iran demolished Hong Kong 111-56 for their fourth straight win.
De Ocampo finished with 13 points while Castro and Romeo added with 12 markers and Abueva added 10 for the Philippines.
The Philippines’ only loss so far came from first-timer Palestine, 73-75, in the opening game.pics grew brighter for the Gilas Pilipinas after they upset mighty Iran, 87-73, on Monday, Sept. 28, in the ongoing FIBA Asia Championship second round elimination in Changsha City, China.
The Filipinos showed a big heart and a never-say-die spirit as they recovered from as much as 10-point down to end their five-game losing streak against the Asia’s reigning champion.
Down by six points, 37-43, at the halftime, playmakers Jason Castro and Terrence Romeo teamed up with Andre Blatche to lead the Filipinos’ big run in the third period to grab the upperhand, 65-60, going into the final canto.
The Filipinos kept the pace in the fourth period and frustrated the defending champion with solid offense boosted by Calvin Abueva’s strong presence under inside the paint.
Castro spearheaded the Philippines with 26 points, highlighted with impressive 11-of-18 field goal shooting while Blatche added 18 points and Romeo shared with 15 markers.
Ranidel de Ocampo led the rebounding for the Filipinos with 10 rebounds as they limited Iran’s main man Hamed Haddadi to just 10 points and 7 rebounds before he was fouled out with 3:51 minutes left in the game.
The Philippines will face equally dangerous India on Tuesday, hoping to sweep the second round and advance to the knock-out quarterfinals against the fourth seed from the other group.
The champion of the tournament will earn ticket to represent Asia in the prestigious 2016 Rio Olympics Games in Brazil.
Gilas Pilipinas survived Japan’s stinging defense for a 73-66 victory on Sunday at the start of the FIBA Asia Championship second round in Changsha City, China.
Despite playing with right ankle injury, Andray Blatche anchored a 9-2 run as the Filipinos pulled away from 64-all enroute to their third straight win in the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Blatche twisted his right ankle in the second quarter but still finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Ranidel de Ocampo opened the deciding 9-2 run with a three-point shot while Calvin Abueva and Jason Castro contributed from the foul line and Blatche sealed from a field goal.
The Philippines will face next undefeated Iran, the tournament’s defending champion, on Monday.
Iran demolished Hong Kong 111-56 for their fourth straight win.
De Ocampo finished with 13 points while Castro and Romeo added with 12 markers and Abueva added 10 for the Philippines.
The Philippines’ only loss so far came from first-timer Palestine, 73-75, in the opening game.