Gilas ousts Jordan to win 1st Asian Games gold since 1962
Gilas Pilipinas‘ FIBA World Cup debacle is now an afterthought.
So are all the years of disappointment on and off the hardcourt.
With a ragtag group assembled just weeks ago and last-minute insertions that doomed Gilas’ already humble expectations, the squad wrested the 19th Asian Games men’s basketball gold via a 70-60 decision over upstart powerhouse Jordan on Friday at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center in China.
Scottie Thompson pushed the Philippines’ lead up to 60-50 halfway into the fourth period, after coach Tim Cone’s troops outscored Jordan, 20-10 in the third frame.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson then missed two triples and two foul shots in successive possessions, as his country’s hopes dimmed towards the end.
Ange Kouame and Chris Newsome sealed the Philippines’ first gold medal since 1962 from the foul line.
Justin Brownlee paced Gilas anew with 20 points and 10 rebounds; Kouame added a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards, while Newsome and Thompson chipped in 13 and 11, respectively.
Hollis-Jefferson led Jordan with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and five dimes, but shot 8-of-29 from the field. Fadi Mustafa added 13 markers.
Gilas avenged its 85-62 defeat to the same opponent in the group stage.
On its way to a historic gold medal run, the Philippines slayed continental giants Iran and China.
Sixty-one years ago, legends like Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga helped the Philippines rule the prestigious sporting meet.
All players on the Gilas roster knew that by secondhand knowledge passed on from generation to generation. Now, they have a first-hand account of what it feels to win gold, as the men’s national basketball team is once again the kings of Asian hoops.
The Scores:
Gilas Pilipinas (70) – Brownlee 20, Kouame 14, Newsome 13, Thompson 11, Oftana 5, Aguilar 3, Alas 2, Perez 2, Fajardo 0.
Jordan (60) – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Mustafa 13, Al Dwairi 8, Al Hamarsheh 6, Bohannon 4, Bzai 3, Hussein 2, Al Hendi 0, Kanaan 0. Quarter scores: 17-12, 31-31, 51-41, 70-60.
Written by Levi Joshua Verora Jr.
Photo from Philippine Sports Commission
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