Pilipinas takes Group A lead in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifying

Photo c/o FIBA / FIBA-Asia

The Philippines achieved their objectives in the November qualifying window of the FIBA Asia Cup on Monday night, dispatching Thailand once again, 93-69.

Unlike their first meeting on Friday, Gilas Pilipinas decided to put things out of reach from the get-go, scoring the first eleven points of the game. A combination of the trademark unselfishness and steady long-distance shooting did the trick this time, converting ten triples in the first half and ending up with sixteen for the game.

Half of those came from the Gomez de Liano brothers, who finished with a combined 33 points.

Elder brother Javi stood out this time, converting all four of his three-pointers to finish with nineteen points on 7/8 shooting overall.

Younger brother Juan added fourteen markers on 4/6 shooting from beyond the arc, while also adding four rebounds and four assists.

Calvin Oftana impressed in his senior national team debut, as last season's Most Valuable Player stuffed the stat sheet with nine points on 3/5 three-point shooting, four rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a rejection.

The Thais tried to keep pace against the Pinoys, doing so on the shoulders of their workhorse Chanatip Jakrawan, who put up a game-high 34 points and twelve rebounds, a steal and a couple blocks. Wattana Suttisin added thirteen points, five rebounds, and four assists. They have yet to secure a win in Group A after four games, with matchups against Indonesia and Korea still to be played.

Gilas heads into the upcoming February window with a 3-0 record, toting a half-game lead over Korea, whom they still have yet to face in qualifying after the East Asians decided on sitting out this window due to pandemic-related matters.