By WAYLON GALVEZ
An all-amateur Gilas Pilipinas team needed just one quarter to prove what it can capable of doing if given a longer time to prepare as it romped to 93-61 win over Thailand in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers Window 2 late Friday held in a bubble in Manama, Bahrain.
Though they’re still in the process of learning and playing together since their formation last month, the Nationals were already a joy to watch after a close first quarter battle as they bewildered the Thais with great shooting and strong defensive effort – thanks to the troika of
Dwight Ramos and brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liano.
Protecting a slim 21-19 first quarter lead, the Nationals, whose average was 23 years old, used a 22-8 run capped by a three-point play from Ramos for a 53-27 advantage.
The Thais never recovered from that second quarter onslaught as the rest of Gilas squad contributed a little of everything for the team’s second win in as many games, drawing level with South Korea in Group A .
The PBA-backed Gilas hacked out a 100-70 win over Indonesia last February before the competition was suspended due to COVID-19.
The Koreans skipped the event played minus the spectators due to coronavirus pandemic. The Thais absorbed their second straight defeat.
All told, the Nationals shot remarkably from the field, making 35-of-73 (47.95%) including 10-of-31 from three-point territory, while its defense held Thailand to just 19-of-64 (29.69%) shooting.
Ramos led Gilas with 20 points on top of seven rebounds, three assists and the same number of steals, while Juan Gomes de Liano and Justin Baltazar contributed 12 points apiece.
Kobe Paras, definitely the most popular member of the team, struggled offensively, making only 3 points on a horrible 1-of-9 shooting but finished with a team-high 7 rebounds to go with 2 steals.
The Philippines plays Thailand again on Monday.
Kobe
The scores:
PHILIPPINES 93 – Ramos 20, De Liano J.G. 12, Baltazar, 12, Suerte 9, De Liano J.J. 9, Nieto Mi. 8, Go 6, Nieto Ma. 4, Carino 4, Navarro 4, Paras 3, Ildefonso 2.
THAILAND 61 – Wongsawangtham 17, Jaisanuk 12, Suttisin 10, Langsui 6, Jakrawan 5, Chungyampin 5, Muangboon 4, Klaewnarong 2, Lakhan 0, Ghogar 0.
Quarters: 21-19; 53-29; 75-43; 93-61.
