Gilas Pilipinas within the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifying recreation vs Lebanon. –FIBA BASKETBALL
In a recreation primarily used as a trial run for roster combos and the World Cup internet hosting, the Philippines performed its most unselfish and assertive recreation and located spectacular outcomes.
Enjoying small due to absences of a variety of massive males, Gilas Pilipinas used a terrific collective effort on each ends to select Lebanon aside, 107-96, within the Worldwide Basketball Federation World Cup Asian Qualifiers at Philippine Enviornment in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Justin Brownlee lastly performed his first recreation as a Filipino and Mason Amos answered all of the questions surrounding his inclusion in spades because the duo spearheaded the Gilas assault.
Brownlee, naturalized a few months in the past, had 17 factors whereas the 18-year-old Amos added 13 to steer a balanced assault that impressed each nationwide coach Chot Reyes and Cedars mentor Jad El Hajj.
“We spoke about it quite a bit, realizing we had just a few lacking items and that we’re not as individually gifted because the earlier lineups,” mentioned Reyes.
“I mentioned in conditions like this, the easiest way to handle it’s to return collectively and lean on one another. And I’m very glad that the gamers took that to coronary heart. And I feel you noticed that right this moment—gamers had been taking part in for one another, operating for one another, it didn’t matter who scored so long as the ball was transferring very effectively.”
“That is particular as a result of we had been undersized. It was solely June Mar and the child [Amos] as our massive males,” Brownlee mentioned on nationwide tv. “It’s been a protracted journey right here [to get to play for Gilas] and I’ll proceed to play my coronary heart out.”
Foes’ admiration
The Lebanon coach had no qualms expressing his admiration of the group that conquered them.
“They performed as a group. They’d greater than 20 assists,” El Hajj identified, because the Filipinos truly dished out 31. “The final time, they performed as people, however tonight they performed as a group, so that they deserved to win.”
Jamie Malonzo completed with 15 factors whereas Japan campaigners Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr., and returning gunner Jordan Heading all chipped in 10 that had the Nationals rising to 6-3 and with nice momentum heading right into a showdown with Jordan on Monday.
With out prime gun Wael Arajki and Ali Haidar, Lebanon leaned on veteran Amir Saoud’s 27, Hayk Gyokchyan’s 21 factors, and Sergio El Darwich’s 19. Karim Zeinoun added 14 extra because the Cedars dropped to 7-2.
It turned out to be a becoming vacation for the spectators who trooped to the cavernous area as new World Cup ambassador Carmelo Anthony made a go to and watched the sport until the ultimate buzzer.
However Reyes, cautious as ever, is aware of that that is simply one of many many video games Gilas may win—and use—because it continues constructing for the worldwide showcase right here set in August.
“Like I mentioned I’m very, very pleased with that outcome, however we additionally know that that is [just one game,” he said.
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