Quincy Davis III was undoubtedly Chinese-Taipei’s driving force in their 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ match versus SMART Gilas Pilipinas on Monday night, all thanks to the 12 points he unloaded in just the opening frame.
With his strong start, the 34-year-old was on pace to power the Taiwanese single-handedly towards their first win in the Qualifiers. Unfortunately, June Mar Fajardo happened, and a plethora of fouls soon took place that doomed his night.
The naturalized center exited the game for good with 1:59 left to play after fouling Kiefer Ravena, and Chinese-Taipei bowed to the home team, 90-83. Davis III finished with a near double-double with 20 points and nine caroms.
“Today was a tough game for us, after coming off our first loss (versus Australia),” rued Davis III. “We knew we wanted to get a win, but obviously, the Gilas guard play, the way they attacked the basket was very tough for us.
“I think my defensive fouls really cost me and the team.”
Moreover, Davis III strongly felt that his benching at the 5:11 mark of the first quarter — after earning his second foul — was definitely a huge turning point, as it allowed the Filipino dribblers to eradicate their gargantuan 19-5 lead.
“It seemed like when I sat down in the first half, we just really put our heads down and we really just gave up a big lead,” said the six-foot-nine slotman.
“So I don’t think we really regained our focus until the second half.”
Asked if being the visiting team had brought jitters to him and to his fellow Taiwanese cagers, the Los Angeles-native believes otherwise.
“Nah, I don’t really think it was a big home court advantage issue,” he said. “I mean, we didn’t get blown out, (so) I don’t think homecourt had a big play in it. We just have to watch film and work at it and get better next time.”
Still, Davis III tipped his hat to the winning side. And for them, the first window of the Qualifiers serves as nothing but a big learning curve — a lesson that they can look back as they prepare for the second leg in February, 2018.
“Gilas, they played their heart out. I’m very proud of us because we never did give up, we really kept it close, we gave up some late three-point shots in the end,” he said. “But overall, we gotta let this be learning lesson for us.
“And hopefully, we’ll prepare to get ’em back when they come to Taipei.”
