‘Shooters gonna shoot.’
That’s how Gilas proved on this day as they completely shrugged off their loss last game against red hot shooting Lithuania and rode on a blistering mid-game performance, showcasing a lopsided 101-70 win over India to keep their hopes alive for the bronze medal in the 29th William Jones Cup in Taiwan.
Trailing only a three-point lead, the Indians managed to trade baskets with the Filipinos in the first quarter but this period seemed to be their last scoring flex.
Combined with merciless defensive stops and smooth offensive flow with balanced scoring and monster shooting beyond the arc, Gilas buried the Indian squad through their 19-0 run, giving India a hard time to put scores on the board in the first 5 minutes of the game. Gilas Pilipinas carried a precarious 23-point lead, 54-31, at the end of first half.
Another huge storm in the third quarter, led by scorching hot Matthew Wright, gave the Filipinos a comfortable 25-point lead, 80-55.
There was no looking back for Gilas in the final minutes as they showed the national team’s deepest rotation, spearheaded by Von Pessumal, Mike Tolomia and Almond Vosotros, to dominantly bury the huge Indian team and grabbed their fifth win in the tournament, 101-70.
Gilas main gunner Matthew Wright led the Gilas with a perfect five out of five on the three-point distance and a total of 19 big points.
Fresh guys like Pessumal and Vosotros provided their best quality minutes, giving 14 points apiece, to provided the finishing touch for the Filipinos.
Carrying an improved 5-3 record, Gilas Pilipinas will face Iran for their last assigntment to force the door open for the chance to pocket a bronze medal win. – Tretch Melarpes – PTV