Thanks to Roger Pogoy, Gilas Pilipinas averted a meltdown, defeating the Adelaide 36ers, 92-83, in the first of a two-game tuneup series, Friday evening at the Meralco Gym in Pasig.
The 36ers had actually snatched an 81-80 lead with 5:14 to go in the payoff period. Fortunately, Pogoy then scored eight in the Filipino dribblers’ 12-2 run – capped by a Japeth Aguilar poster – to end the game.
Pogoy finished with 10 points on 50-percent shooting from the field, along with two rebounds and a dime.
“We have more refining to do but I’m glad we won the game,” said coach Yeng Guiao. “Glad also that we were able to sustain yung effort. The 36ers gave us a really good game.
“I felt like it’s exactly what we needed. Yun yung talagang kailangan natin – rugged, physical, playing against bigger guys; playing against bigs who can run the floor, who are quick,” he added.
Andray Blatche led Gilas’ well-deployed attack with a near-triple-double of 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists.
Aguilar had 17 points, four rebounds, and three blocks. CJ Perez made 12 points, while Paul Lee added 10 markers.
Gilas missed the services of swingman Matthew Wright and center Poy Erram due to minor injuries. They will not see action in the team’s next and last meeting with the 36ers on Sunday.
Ramone Moore led the Australian ball club with 16 points. Daniel Froling supplied 11 points and seven rebounds, while Daniel Dillon and Brandon Teys each produced 10 points.
The Scores:
Philippines 92 – Blatche 19, Aguilar 17, Perez 12, Pogoy 10, Lee 10, Bolick 8, Almazan 7, Barroca 5, Fajardo 4, Norwood 0, Rosario 0.
Adelaide 83 – Moore 16, Froling 11, Teys 10, Dillon 10, Taylor 9, Griffin 9, Kyei 8, Johnson 6, McVeigh 4, White 0.
Quarterscores: 25-16, 50-49,73-68, 92-83.
