Photo credit: FIBA | fiba.basketball
The all-PBA Gilas Pilipinas Men (1-1) bounced back from its opening-game loss to Bahrain with a convincing 109-78 win over Kazakhstan (0-2) on Saturday, September 12, at Aichi International Arena (IG Arena) in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, keeping its title defense on track as it looks to win back-to-back Asian Games men’s basketball gold medals. [FULL REPLAY VIDEO BY ONESPORTS]
Gilas started the game hot, opening with an 11-0 run before taking an 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Philippines then outscored Kazakhstan, 32-22, in the second quarter to take a 50-37 lead into halftime.
Gilas maintained control in the third frame, holding an 82-66 advantage heading into the final quarter. The Philippines then caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down seven three-pointers, including four straight from Ahanmisi, in the final frame to pull away for good and secure the victory.
Five Gilas players finished in double figures as the team delivered a balanced offensive attack to keep its quarterfinal hopes alive, led by Jerrick Ahanmisi, who was on fire with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, along with 2 rebounds in 19 minutes of play.
Robert Bolick bounced back from a scoreless outing against Bahrain, where he went 0-of-5 from the field, with a solid performance against Kazakhstan. He finished with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4 three-pointers, and 2 assists in 16 minutes.
Calvin Oftana finished with 12 points, while Sedrick Barefield added 11 points, including 3 three-pointers, along with 4 rebounds and a team-high 5 assists. Zavier Lucero chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Gilas shot 52% from the field (33-of-64), including 16-of-29 from three-point range, while Kazakhstan went 28-of-65 overall and 7-of-28 from deep. The Philippines also converted 27-of-34 free throws compared to Kazakhstan’s 15-of-24. Kazakhstan outrebounded Gilas, 38-36, while both teams had 17 assists. Gilas held the edge in steals, 8-5, and turnovers, 12-17.
The Philippines will be back in action against undefeated China on Monday, September 14, at 12:00PM [LIVE]. China has won its first two games, defeating Kazakhstan, 99-61, and Bahrain, 105-59.
The Scores:
PHILIPPINES 109 - Ahanmisi 22, Bolick 20, Oftana 12, Barefield 11, Lucero 10, Abarrientos 6, Baltazar 6, Arana 6, Trollano 5, Nocum 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Bates 3.
KAZAKHSTAN 78 - Bykov 15, Maydekin 12, Marat 12, Neff 11, Rabchenyuk 9, Murzagaliyev 8, Fedchenko 7, Ivanov 2, Sakhipov 2, Kuanov 0, Marchuk 0, Severgin 0.
Quarters: 18-15, 50-37, 82-66, 109-78. [FULL REPLAY VIDEO] | [FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [FULL GAME STATS]
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