Gilas Pilipinas exacted vengeance on Senegal, securing a 75-63 victory in their penultimate game in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Sunday at Heyuan Sport Gymnasium.
The Philippines improved their record to 2-1 in this pocket tournament, with their sole loss coming by way of a 72-64 defeat last Friday.
Entering the final frame, Gilas was trailing 47-53. However, unlike their first encounter, the Filipinos focused and performed exceptionally against the African squad.
The duo of CJ Perez and Bobby Ray Parks fueled Gilas’ strong start, with Parks scoring the tying bucket at 53-all, followed by a breakaway layup from Perez for the go-ahead basket with 7:11 remaining.
Although Jean Boissy managed to halt the momentum with a triple to tie the score at 56, Parks continued his impressive performance, scoring six consecutive points to continue Gilas’ storm.
Parks delivered all eight of his points in the fourth quarter.
Boissy attempted to rally Senegal late in the contest, but timely three-pointers from AJ Edu and Kiefer Ravena prevented any chances of a Senegalese comeback.
Edu led Gilas with 15 points on three made triples and seven rebounds, while Perez contributed 14 points, and Dwight Ramos tallied 12 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
The 6-foot-10 Fil-Nigerian was also a team-high plus-19.
June Mar Fajardo also chipped in with 11 points.
Unlike in their last meeting, Gilas did not fall behind in the rebounding department, with the ledger being a close 39-40 in favor of Senegal.
Gilas will play their final game in the three-nation meet on Monday against Iran.
Boissy, who played in the NBA Summer League, was the sole double-digit scorer for Senegal with 16 points.
The Scores:
Philippines 75 – Edu 15, Perez 14, Ramos 12, Fajardo 11, Parks 8, Newsome 4, Abando 3, Pogoy 3, Ravena K. 3, Aguilar 2, Oftana 0, Malonzo 0, Ravena T. 0.
Senegal 63 – Boissy 16, Ndoye 9, Badio 8, Sambe 6, Camara 6, Diop 5, Sylla 5, Faye 3, Ndiaye 3, Fall 2.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 36-39, 47-53, 75-63.
