In what became June Mar Fajardo’s swan song, Gilas Pilipinas made sure he left the court a winner.
The Philippine men’s national basketball team delivered a massive finishing kick to frustrate Iran, 68-56, and complete a perfect home stand in the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Sunday before a full house at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas evened its record in Pool E at 4-4, remaining in fifth place but moving within one game of Iran and Jordan, who occupy the third and fourth spots with identical 5-3 records.
The victory also marked the Philippines’ first win over Iran in FIBA action since the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, when Gilas prevailed 87-73. Those two victories are the only wins the Philippines has recorded against Team Melli in FIBA competition.
“I’m extremely happy. Right now I’m the happiest guy in the world because these are two really, really high-level international teams, Iran especially,” said Nationals head coach Tim Cone.
“I read something in FIBA yesterday that this is only the third win we’ve had against them in the last 13 games and we’re able to do it all-Filipino pa. It makes it really sweet to come out and win this game and to do it at home.”
Tied at 54 with seven minutes remaining, Gilas Pilipinas turned it up on both ends of the floor. The team closed the game on a 12-2 run to take down Team Melli and complete the two-game sweep on home soil.
Dwight Ramos kickstarted the finishing blows with a three-pointer before Kai Sotto followed it up with a rim-rattling dunk.
Ramos put the Philippines ahead by seven with a bank shot, while the red-hot Mobin Sheikhi scored Iran’s final points on a jumper to cut the deficit to five, 61-56, with three minutes and 20 seconds remaining.
Sotto, AJ Edu, and Ramos then put the finishing touches on the victory as Gilas secured its first FIBA win over Iran since 2015.
Juan Gomez de Liaño, meanwhile, went shot-for-shot with Sheikhi in the third quarter to keep the Nationals in front, 49-47, heading into the final frame.
Gomez de Liaño scored seven of his team-high 16 points in the third quarter, while Ramos also finished with 16 points to go with seven rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Sotto was once again a force down low, posting 13 points and 16 rebounds, while Edu chipped in eight points and eight boards.
Sheikhi carried Iran with a personal tournament-best 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field.
However, Team Melli’s next-highest scorer was Mo Amini with just seven points on a woeful 2-of-15 shooting clip.
The fifth window is set for November 27 to 30, with Gilas Pilipinas slated to face Iran once again before taking on Syria.
The Scores:
Philippines 68 — Gomez de Liaño 16, Ramos 16, Sotto 13, Edu 8, Quiambao 6, Fajardo 6, Perez 3, Thompson 0, Newsome 0.
Iran 56 — Sheikhi 21, Amini 7, Aghajanpour 6, Monji 5, Girgoorian 5, Heydari 4, Jafari 4, Taheri 2, Kazemi 2, Zangeneh 0, Jamshidi 0, Aliakbari 0.
Quarterscores: 7-18, 36-34, 49-47, 68-56.
