Gilas Pilipinas displayed character in the final frame to stave off Chinese Taipei-B, 93-82, and earn their second straight win in the 39th William Jones Cup, Monday afternoon at the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium in Taiwan.
With the win, the Philippines now sport a 2-1 card in the tourney.
Sharpshooter Matthew Wright starred for the Nationals with a game-high 21 points, eight coming in the final period, on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Roger Pogoy, despite fouling out late in the fourth, produced 15 markers.
The Filipinos were already ahead by nine, 69-60, 30 seconds before the third canto expired, but Taipei-B stormed back and inched in by just a solitary point, 74-73, after a Chen Ying-chun lay-up with 7:54 remaining in the final quarter.
Gilas then doused cold water into the Taiwanese side’s comeback hopes, sprinting to an overwhelming 14-4 scoring spree punctuated by a booming Pogoy triple to restore order, 88-77, with 2:20 left to play.
Chinese Taipei-B never had any chance to mount another hijack attempt, and Gilas’ baskets in the waning seconds were enough to secure the win.
Mike Myers had his best game so far for Gilas, as he registered 14 markers and 14 rebounds. Jio Jalalon supplied 13 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Kiefer Ravena had 10 points and dished out seven dimes.
Chen led Taipei-B with 17 points, five boards, and five assists. Import Kyle Barone made 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while Huang Tsung-han chalked up 13 markers.
Both teams collected an identical 17 assists, but Gilas played better defense as they racked up nine steals. However, the Filipinos lost the rebounding battle, 40-37.
The Philippines will next face Japan on Tuesday, July 18, at 1:00 PM.
The Scores:
Gilas Pilipinas (93) – Wright 21, Pogoy 15, Myers 14, Jalalon 13, Ravena 10, Ferrer 8, Cruz 6, Standhardinger 6, Daquioag 0, Paras 0, Pessumal 0, Vosotros 0.
Chinese Taipei-White (82) – Cheng YC 17, Barone 16, Huang TH 13, Chen CQ 9, Lee 8, Chien 5, Wen 5, Huang 4, Liu 3, Fan 2, Wu 0.
Quarterscores: 18-20, 44-44, 69-62, 93-82.
