By Patrick Oliver Montaño |
The photo is a screenshot from One Sports YouTube Channel
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas avoided another winless FIBA World Cup run as they ended their campaign with a graceful swan song, 96-75, against their Asian rival, China, at the Araneta Coliseum on September 2.
Utah Jazz Jordan Clarkson led the team with 34 points, three assists, and two rebounds. After suffering from losses in their matches with the Dominican Republic (81-87), Angola (70-80), and Italy (83-90), the team has finally ended the ninth consecutive FIBA World Cup loss dating back to 2019, also avoiding an ignominy of becoming a winless host country since Cambodia last 1982.
Gilas Pilipinas started off strong with a 7-0 run at the start of the first quarter. Kyle Anderson and Zhang Zhenlin of China racked up the points for their team to tie the score, 16-apiece.
Marginal plays were seen in the second quarter, with China taking on a one-point lead, 40-39 at halftime. Clarkson then showed excellent scoring in the third quarter, scoring 24 points alone in the third quarter. Rhenz Abando contributed in both offense and defense to set his new World Cup-high with a remarkable 14 points, setting the score to 73-51.
Pouring in points, Gilas continuously maintained the gap, with Dwight Ramos delivering 11 points and Jun Mar Fajardo with nine points. The Philippines also outrebounded China, 46-31, with ten rebounds from Ariel John Edu, securing the win, 96-75.
While World ranked no. 40 Gilas Pilipinas bids its chance for a direct berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the team secured an invitation to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament the following summer after this win. They are set to return to the international stage for this upcoming 19th edition of the Asian Games in China, which will run from September 26 to October 6.
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