2015 FIBA Asia Championship Finals
Gilas Pilipinas lost to China, 78-67
October 3, 2015 – Changsha, China
Game Highlights:
-Andray Blatche with 17 points and 5 rebounds
-Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo with 9 points and 5 rebounds each
It was a scary sight for all basketball-crazy Pinoys.
Japanese ace Makoto Hiejema and big man Jojo Takeuchi were taking the fight to Team Pilipinas, the former blazing hot, breathing fire and shooting fireballs from the perimeter virtually at will; the latter, terrifyingly efficient, grabbing rebounds in bunches and stroking shots inside and out. Japan led 17–16 after one, and they padded that lead to 7 early in the second canto. The game was all even at the half, 39–39, and at the end of three, 54–54.
Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro were their usual dynamic selves, but no one else was stepping up for Gilas 3.0.
Gilas Pilipinas defeated Japan in the 8th day (Semifinals) of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship held at CSWC Gymnasium in Changsha, China. Philippines vs China in the Finals for a slot in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Andray Blatche led Gilas with 22 points and 13 rebounds
2015 FIBA Asia Championship Semifinals
Gilas Pilipinas defeats Japan, 81-70
October 2, 2015 – Changsha, China
Game Highlights:
-Andray Blatche with 22 points and 13 rebounds
-Jayson Castro scored 20 points and with 7 assists (4/9 from 3)
-Dondon Hontiveros with 18 points (6/9 from 3)
Gilas Pilipinas defeated Lebanon in the 7th day (Quarterfinals) of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship held at CSWC Gymnasium in Changsha, China.
Best game of Andray Blatche so far with 24 point and 17 rebounds
2015 FIBA Asia Championship Quarterfinals
Gilas Pilipinas defeated Lebanon, 82-70
October 1, 2015 – Changsha, China
Game Highlights:
-Jayson Castro led Gilas with 25 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals (5/10 from 3)
-Andray Blatche with 24 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks
-Terrence Romeo scored 10 points
Make no mistake about it: Gilas 3.0 is a team full of potential. Now, it seems that potential is finally making way for possibilities—tantalizing possibilities.
A day after defeating mighty Iran, Gilas 3.0 went right back to work, routing India 99–65 behind another sensational second half. The win, highlighted by a 24–0 run in the payoff period and capped by a Terrence Romeo-to-Matt Ganuelas alley-oop, gave the nationals the top seed in Group E, setting up a date with a resurgent Lebanon squad in the win-or-go-home quarterfinals.
2015 FIBA Asia Championship (2nd Round)
Gilas Pilipinas defeated India, 99-65
September 29, 2015 – Changsha, China
Game Highlights:
-Terrence Romeo led Gilas Pilipinas with 20 points and 4 assists
-Andray Blatche with 15 points and 5 steals
-Ranidel de Ocampo scored 13 points
Sometimes, all one needs is a reason to believe.
Gilas 3.0 just gave every basketball-loving Filipino a reason to truly believe.
That Olympic dream is not a pipe dream after all. It is actually a possibility.
Team Pilipinas proved that much in a stunning 87–73 victory over Iran, widely considered as the top team in the tournament, markedly better than everyone else, including the hosts and perennial powerhouse South Korea.