Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas failed to replicate their opening win versus BC Astana as their gallant comeback fell short versus Sarreyet Ramallah of Palestine, 89-82, Saturday night in the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Chenzhou, China.
Chooks now sports an even 1-1 win-loss slate.
Kiefer Ravena was the forerunner of Chooks’ offense with 24 points along with three rebounds and three assists. Jeron Teng contributed 18 points and six caroms.
Isaiah Austin, who injured his right leg late in the second quarter, chipped in 13 markers and eight boards.
After trailing by as much as 14 in the third canto, Chooks crawled back in the final period and trimmed the gap to as narrow as four, 69-73, after Raymar Jose went a perfect two-for-two with 5:37 remaining on the clock.
But the the Middle Eastern cagers provided stinging answers to the Filipinos. Back-to-back triples from Tamer Abash and Anthony Weeden helped Sarreyet Ramallah restore order, 79-69, with 4:40 left.
Chooks still mounted one last run and closed within six, 75-81, after Carl Cruz’s trey, but the Palestinians were too much. Five straight points, ended by another Habash trey, put away Chooks for good, 86-75, with 1:56 left to play.
Weeden paced Sarreyet Ramallah’s well-deployed attack with 22 points. Jamal Abu Shamala scored 21 with 12 rebounds, while Todd O’Brien chipped in 20 markers on top of 11 boards.
Chooks shot just 38 percent from the floor, nailing just five of the 28 attempts they had from beyond the arc. They were outrebounded once again, 46-50, and committed 13 turnovers.
Chooks will aim to bounce back versus fellow Southeast Asians Mono Vampire Basketball Club of Thailand tomorrow, Sunday, September 24, at 2:30 PM.
The Scores:
Chooks to Go (82) – Ravena 22, Jeron Teng 18, Austin 13, Cruz 8, Jose 8, Revilla 6, Manuel 3, Tamsi 2, Torres 0, Jeric Teng 0,
Sareyyet (89) – Weeden 22, Abu Shamala 21, O’Brien 20, G. Habbash 14, Sakanini 10, El Diraoui 2, Sahwani 0, K. Habash 0, I Habash 0
Quarterscores: 21-13, 41-33, 64-54, 89-82
