Host Malaysia tried to get physical with Gilas Pilipinas, but to no avail. Down to just nine men, Gilas was able to turn it up in the second half, taking a 98-66 triumph against Malaysia, Wednesday evening at the MABA Stadium.
Christian Standhardinger powered Gilas with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Kobe Paras added 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
With the sweep of Group A, Gilas gain an outright semifinals berth.
But even with a tireless Malaysian crowd jeering them, Gilas was able to gain a double-digit lead by halftime and never looked back.
The game though almost got too physical as Kevin Ferrer and Tian Kuek almost got into blows. Both Baser Amer and Carl Cruz were thrown out of the game after trying to contain both players. Gilas was already up 57-42 by then.
Gilas’ lead would go to as high as 35-points, 95-60, after five straight points by Paras with 3:19 left.
Kiefer Ravena and Troy Rosario chipped in 12 markers each while Amer added 10 markers. Every Gilas player fielded was able to score.
Kuek paced Malaysia with 12 points while Chun Hong Ting added 10 points. However, the organizers shot just 32 percent from the field, while it was forced to commit 17 turnovers that led to 29 Gilas points.
The knockout semifinal will begin on Friday.
The Scores:
Gilas Pilipinas 98 – Standhardinger 18, Paras 16, Ravena 12, Rosario 12, Amer 10, Ferrer 6, Vosotros 6, Tolomia 5, Jose 4, Pessumal 4, Cruz 3, Parks 2.
Malaysia 66 – Kuek 14, Ting 10, Teo 9, Wong 8, Chee 7, Yeo 7, Loh 5, Lim 4, Ma 2, Soo 0, Wong 0.
Quarterscores: 18-20, 47-35, 73-46, 98-66.
