Gilas Pilipinas survived a late scare from Japan to take care of business at home with an 89-84 win to end the second window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, which appeared to be filled to its 22,000 seat capacity.
Andray Blatche had a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while Kiefer Ravena chipped in 13 points and five assists. Troy Rosario scored 14 points, all of which came in the first half, while Calvin Abueva added eight.
Japan jumped out to an early 16-4 lead after a triple from Ryusei Shinoyama. A basket from Makoto Hiejima and two free throws from Joji Takeuchi extended the lead to 16 before Gilas went on a 12-0 blast, eight of which came from Kiefer Ravena to close the gap to four, 20-16.
Japan finally broke its scoring drought with a bucket but Blatche made a split from the line and Troy Rosario scored on two straight possessions to inch Gilas within one, 22-21, seconds before the first period ended.
Gilas carried their momentum in the next period, scoring the first 13 points, capped by baskets from Calvin Abueva and Rosario, to gain a 34-22 upper hand. After Japan scored on the next trip down, Gabe Norwood stroked one from downtown to extend the margin to 13, 37-24. Ira Brown went perfect from the line, but June Mar Fajardo got one free throw to go and Norwood hit another triple to make it 41-26, Gilas still ahead. Japan, however, was able to cut the lead to two, 43-41, using a 15-2 run. But Rosario was able to knock down a three-pointer right before the buzzer sounded as Gils took a 46-41 edge at halftime.
"We started very good. [But then] the Philippines tried to play better defense and played very physical. They started to run, and they are good at doing that," said Japan coach Julio Lamas. "I think we played good today but to beat the Philippines we need to play very good."
A Fajardo floater put Gilas on top by seven, 51-44, in the third quarter. Japan hit two free throws, but Blatche converted on a three-point play on the other end to keep the Philippines in control. After a turnover from Daiki Tanaka, Blatche hit another deuce in the paint to push Gilas' lead to 10, 56-46. Shinoyama made a split and a layup from Tanaka inched the Akatsuki Five within seven, but Abueva scored four straight points as the Philippines still held on to a double-digit lead, 60-49. Japan trimmed the deficit to seven, but Gilas was able to establish a 72-61 advantage heading into the fourth period.
Heijima made it a 10-point game at the 8:03 mark of the payoff quarter, but Jalalon got a steal leading to a basket for Gilas to bring the lead back up to a dozen, 77-65. Heijima countered with a three on the other end to make it a nine-point game, but the Philippines kept pouring in the points as a Japeth Aguilar jumper put Gilas up 83-71, midway through the final period.
Japan, however, refused to back down as they went on an 11-3 run to come within striking distance, 86-82, a minute to go in the game. Gilas committed a turnover after calling a timeout, which led to a Tanaka layup on the other end, cutting the lead to two, 86-84. But Gilas had time in their favor, running down the clock before Castro hit a tough floater with 10.6 seconds left that clinched the game for the home squad. Japan came up empty on their next play after Hiejima missed a three. Blatche was fouled after getting the rebound and made one of two free throws for the final tally.
Hiejima led Japan with 23 markers, while Brown tallied 16 points and eight rebounds.
"We're not hiding the fact that if we had played this game in Tokyo, I don't think we would have won," Gilas coach Chot Reyes said. "The crowd gave us a lift. We were lucky we were playing at home. Thanks to all our countrymen who came out tonight."
EXTRA DRIBBLES
- Heading into this game, Gilas was only averaging 61.6 percent from the free throw line. But against Japan they fell below that mark, making only 10-of-17 free throws for 58.8 percent.
- Rosario didn't play against Australia because he hadn't received full medical clearance yet before the team flew to Melbourne. But he suited up for the Japan game and immediately made an impact for Gilas, scoring 14 points in the first half. His output bridged the first and second period during the run that helped erase Japan's early double-digit lead.
- The third window of the first round of the Asian Qualifiers is scheduled in late June and early July. Gilas is set to face Chinese Taipei on the road on June 29 before playing Australia at the Philippine Arena on July 2.