Pick and roll partners Shintarou and Izzo lifted E-Gilas Pilipinas to reclaim the FIBA Esports Open Southeast Asia Conference championship in nail-biting fashion.
The Philippines squeaked past Indonesia in Game Two of the Finals, 44-36, to complete the tournament sweep, Sunday.
The Playbook Esports-backed Nationals have won two of the three editions of the FIBA Esports Open. Their only runner-up finish came last season against Australia.
“It means a lot to represent the Philippines again and reclaim the Southeast Asia Conference title. We’ve been through ups and downs, we’ve lost FIBA Esports II, so I’m so happy and blessed that we reclaimed the title,” said wingman Rial in the FIBA postgame interview.
E-Gilas high-scoring point guard Shintarou bagged the Most Valuable Player award, getting a Tissot watch for the plum. In two games, Shintarou averaged 22 points — including several green releases from downtown in the clutch — and 9.5 assists.
Indonesia started the second half with a booming triple to knot the match at 21-all.
But that was all Indonesia could make in the third period. The Philippines unleashed a 14-0 bomb to put an insurmountable 35-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Shintarou had 19 markers, taking advantage of the range extender badge with five three-pointers. Meanwhile, Izzo produced 12 points, eight rebounds, and activated the Interceptor badge with three steals.
DogsEyes led Indonesia with 18 points, all from behind the arc. n the other hand, TrulyAs, who got 17 markers in the first game, was limited to just seven.
Earlier in the day, E-Gilas rode the hot hands of Shintarou and scraped past the gritty Indonesians, 60-53.
A triple by DogsEyes gave Indonesia the 48-47 lead with 3:05 left in the game.
Then Shintarou waxed hot, scoring 11 of the last 13 points for the Philippines. He also made the dagger three-pointer with 6.2 ticks left to ice the win.
Shintarou finished with 25 points and 11 assists, while big man Izzo dropped 20 markers and eight rebounds.
DogsEyes and C2S spread the wealth for Indonesia with 14 and 13 points, respectively, with the latter also dishing seven dimes.
The defense of the Nationals was in full effect, limiting their foes to just 13-of-31 shooting in Game Two, and 20-of-35 in the first game.
