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Kiefer Ravena

Gilas Fends Off Pesky Chinese-Taipei

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Kiefer Ravena

Gilas Pilipinas, in the confines and comforts of home, took a while to get going, and they needed a certain four-time PBA MVP to finally find their bearings.

With the nationals struggling early, June Mar Fajardo came off the bench and gave the team a much-needed boost, scoring often against an overmatched Chinese-Taipei frontline. The gentle giant from Cebu led the team back from an early 14-point deficit, scoring 9 points and sending counterpart Quincy Davis to the bench due to foul trouble.

Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese-Taipei FIBA Qualifiers Highlights Video

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Gilas Pilipinas beat Chinese-Taipei, 90-83 in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last November 27, 2017. Jayson Castro with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists while June Mar Fajardo scontributed 17 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Watch Gilas Pilipinas vs Chinese-Taipei FIBA Qualifiers Highlights Video

Give Gabe His Due

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When coach Chot Reyes reassumed coaching duties for Gilas, he bared his plan to tap into Philippine basketball’s young talent, with an eye on the 2019 World Cup and beyond. This meant that one Gabriel Daniel V. Norwood would likely be out of the national team pool.

Gilas Remains Work in Progress

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Gilas Pilipinas may have started the FIBA World Cup qualifiers with a win, but if their performance against Japan is any indication, then this iteration of Gilas might be in big trouble.

In a case of taking half a step forward and several steps back, the nationals struggled to put away a young but game Japanese squad, ultimately needing the brilliance of Jayson Castro and timely baskets from Andray Blatche, Matthew Wright, and RR Pogoy to outlast their counterparts from the Land of the Rising Sun.