JR Pasaol shone brightly as Gilas Men U23 downed Hong Kong, 21-15, to maintain its immaculate record in the 19th Asian Games 3×3 competitions, Wednesday at the Deqing Geographic Information Park Basketball Court in Hangzhou, China.
The FEU Tamaraw finished with seven points, including the game-clinching free throw with 7.1 seconds to spare as he helped the Filipino youngsters fend off their hard-fighting counterparts en route to their third win in as many outing.
Gilas was already in control with a 14-9 lead approaching the game’s last three minutes, but Hong Kong tried to pull the rug underneath by chopping the deficit to just two behind the efforts of Wong Ho Yin and Tsang Cham Yuen.
Pasaol, though, was there to halt their momentum with a nifty reverse lay-up, and the tandem of Bismarck Lina and Justine Sanchez would help him out for a crucial 4-0 run to restore order, 18-12, with 53.4 seconds remaining.
Pasaol would go on to apply the finishing touches moments later as he scored the Philippines’ last two points to seal the deal.
Lina also came through with seven points in the win. Sanchez supplied four points, while Bryan Sajonia chipped in three points and seven rebounds.
Gilas will have a one-day break before facing known 3×3 country Mongolia on Friday, September 29, 4:20 p.m. as it guns for a sweep of Pool A.
Wong and Tsang, on the other hand, finished with five points apiece for Hong Kong, who remained winless after two games.
The scores:
Philippines (21) – Lina 7, Pasaol 7, Sanchez 4, Sajonia 3.
Hong Kong (15) – Tsang 5, Wong 5, Lam 3, Cheung 2.
Time: 9:52.9 (Pasaol FT)
