Source : Mikkel Bolante, InterAKTVThe SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team looked to be in for an easy night when they jumped out to a 25-9 lead to begin the game against Bahrain.
And though Bahrain rallied to bring the lead down to single digits midway through the second quarter, the Filipinos showcased excellent passing and an efficient running game to post the highest scoring total so far in the tournament as they defeated Bahrain, 113-71, in the FIBA Asia Championship for Men in Wuhan, China.
SMART-Gilas entered halftime with a modest 51-40 lead. But the Philippine team rode Japeth Aguilar and his 14 third quarter points to a 19-0 run to start the second half and a 35-7 third quarter overall to extend the lead to 86-47.
Aguilar did not play in the first half.
SMART-Gilas barely missed Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, whose eligibility problems in the tournament remained unresolved, as they cruised to another easy win, their second in the tournament.
Aguilar, who finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds in just 15 minutes, led seven Filipino players in double figures. Marcus Douthit posted 18 points and nine rebounds, Jayvee Casio scored 15 and PBA reinforcements Asi Taulava and Ranidel De Ocampo both scored 13 for the Philippines.
Mac Baracael scored 11 and Chris Tiu added 10 for Team Pilipinas.
But the Philippines put up the big scoring numbers primarily because of their ball-movement and their transition game. Jimmy Alapag had eight assists, Mark Barroca had seven and Chris Tiu and De Ocampo had five apiece as SMART-Gilas assisted on 33 of the team’s 41 field goals.
The Philippines also scored 26 fast break points and 22 points off of turnovers as they outran Bahrain en route to the 42-point win.
Bahrain was never expected to challenge in this game, losing to China, 101-49, and UAE, 91-53, in their earlier Group D assignments.
Former De La Salle Green Archer Bader Malabes led Bahrain with 15 points, built around four three-pointers, and seven assists. Malabes also scored 17 points in their opening day loss to China.
With the win, SMART-Gilas advanced to the second round where they will be grouped together with Japan and the other survivors of Group C, likely Syria and Jordan.
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 113—Aguilar 21, Douthit 18, Casio 15, Taulava 13, De Ocampo 13, Baracael 11, Tiu 10, Barroca 8, Alapag 2, Williams 2.
BAHRAIN 71—Malabes 15, Sarhan 13, Mahri 11, Ali 8, Isa 7, Khamis 7, Akber 6, Mubarak 2, Malallah 2.
Quarters: 30-18, 51-40, 86-47, 113-71
OTHER RESULTS:
Syria 55 - Japan 77
Korea 84 - India 53
Chinese Taipei 94 - Qatar 78
Iran 132 - Uzbekistan 38
China 75 - UAE 60
Jordan 89 - Indonesia 59
Malaysia 59 - Lebanon 87
Second Round Groupings :
GROUP E
IRAN
KOREA
LEBANON
CHINESE TAIPEI
MALAYSIA
UZBEKISTAN
GROUP F
CHINA
JAPAN
PHILIPPINES
JORDAN
SYRIA
UAE
SCHEDULE FOR PHILIPPINES
September 19: (6:00pm) Philippines[D2] vs. Jordan[C2]
September 20: (6:00pm) Philippines[D2] vs. Japan[C1]
September 21: (6:00pm) Philippines[D2] vs. Syria[C3]
ALL GAMES LIVE ON AKTV AND BTV
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