GILAS PILIPINAS BOWS TO "THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA", FINISHES SECOND IN FIBA ASIA
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Oct 2015
Gilas Pilipinas took a gallant stand against the very tall and young Chinese team but fell short of getting the crown as the hosts triumphed, 78-67, at the finals of the FIBA Asia championships in Changsha, China.
With average height of 6'8" and playing with four seven footers, China is a formidable "Great Wall" plus the hostile crowd going against the Philippines whose average was only 6'5".
Andray Blatche topscored for the Philippines with 17 points but grabbed only five rebounds against the towering Chinese defense.
Jayson Castro finished only 8 points on a dismal 3-of-14 shooting from the field and 6 rebounds and a single assist. This was the only game where Castro scored below 10 points.
The Philippines surged ahead 5-0 at the opening tip. But China overtook them and finished the first quarter ahead at 23-19.
With their 46-35 halftime lead, the Chinese juggernaut never looked back and proved why they are ranked No.14 in the world compared to Philippines' No. 31.
The Chinese led as high as 16 points in the second half. The Philippines were recepient of bad calls from the referees and the ugly crowd and organizers' treatment.
Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo contributed nine points each, while Gabe Norwood and Ranidel De Ocampo chipped in seven points apiece.
China was powered by Guo Ailun who topscored with 19 points on top of six rebounds while 7-foot-1 center Zhou Qi dominated the paint with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Veteran 7-footer Yi Jianlian poured in 11 points and pulled 15 boards.
But China's players were simply dominating with their crippling defense and towering fortification. Very young with an average age of 24, China showed mastery over the Philippines who is the oldest team at the average age of 31.
With the runner-up finish, the Philippines failed the outright berth to the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympics and will compete in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament on July 5-16, 2016. The tournament will include 18 national teams from FIBA?s continental tournaments. They will be divided into three groups of six. The winner from each group will qualify for Rio Olympics 2016.
Included in the Qualifier are FIBA Asia runners-up Philippines, Iran and Japan; European squads France, Serbia, Greece, Italy and Czech Republic; Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico from the Americas; New Zealand from Oceania and three countries to be determined later.
Fil-Am Los Angeles Lakers player Jordan Clarkson however is expected to be available for Gilas Pilipinas that time.
The consolation for Gilas was that Jayson Castro remained at the Mythical Five Selection as Asia's top point guard. Rounding up the first five are Iran?s Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and three Chinese players in Guo Ailun, Zhou Qi and Yi Jianlian who was chosen as the tournament MVP.
Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas for the silver medal finish!
Photo: Jayson Castro carries the ball during the China-Philippines finals game.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024