Kiefer Ravena was the steady presence Gilas Pilipinas needed, guiding the Philippines to a 63-48 victory over Iran B to close out the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Sunday at Xiaoqing Sport Center.
With the game tied at 46-all early in the final frame, the guard who plays for Shiga in the B.League found a wide-open Roger Pogoy at the corner for a triple.
The floodgates opened right at that moment as Jamie Malonzo scored on a breakaway layup to increase Gilas’ lead to 51-47.
Long bombs from Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and Dwight Ramos sealed the win for Gilas, who ended their campaign with a 3-1 slate.
Ravena finished with a stellar line of nine points, six assists, and six rebounds.
Leading the charge for Gilas was Ramos with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Also notching a double-double was Malonzo with 11 points and 14 rebounds while AJ Edu continued to show why he needs to be in the final 12, producing eight points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks.
It was a successful campaign for Gilas, who also defeated the same team last Thursday with a score of 76-65.
The Philippines went 1-1 against Senegal, losing 72-64 last Friday before getting the win back yesterday, 75-63.
Gilas will head home on Tuesday and will still have friendlies against Mexico and Montenegro on home soil.
Amir Yazarlou was the top scorer of the Jones Cup-bound Iran B with nine points. Amir Azari added 10 rebounds with five points.
The Scores:
Philippines 63 – Ramos 17, Malonzo 11, Ravena 9, Edu 8, Newsome 4, Fajardo 4, Oftana 3, Pogoy 3, Perez 2, Parks 2, Aguilar 0, Abando 0.
Iran 48 – Yazarlou 9, Dalirzahan 6, Kashani 6, Azari 5, Khosravi 5, Jafari 5, Hatamifar 4, Mokarian 3, Taberi 2, Sharifi 2, Alizadeh 1, Rahimian 0.
Quarterscores: 26-16, 31-30, 44-43, 63-48.
