Gilas enters World Cup after beating Kazakhs team, 93-75

By: Darwin Pesco

Gilas Pilipinas has a ticket now to China as they clinched their second win away from the home court against Kazakhstan, 93-75, in the FIBA’s Asian Qualifiers held at the Saryarka Velodrome in Astana.

Andray Blatche exploded as he put up 41 points, 14 rebounds, four rebounds, and two blocks to lift the Filipino team into their second straight win.

Castro had 15 points, while June Mar Fajardo proved his strength and agility in the fourth quarter with nine points and seven rebounds.

Also, a win by South Korean team against paved the way for the team’s sure spot to the World Cup.

Korea, the rival of Gilas in the court, became an ally by winning the game against Lebanon and helped the Philippines’ goal to make it to China finishing with a 7-5 record.

Blatche kept on making three-pointers in the first quarter, but in the second quarter, the offense of Gilas went weak with a lot of turnovers.

In the second half of the game, Blatche was not the only actor of the play for the local players contributed points.

Moreover, Kazakhstan’s new naturalized player, Anthony Clemmons led the team with 27 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and four steals.

Gilas Pilipinas with China, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Iran and Jordan will be the representatives of Asia in the World Cup, which will happen on August 31 to September 15 this year.

Here is the summary of the game from the FIBA official website.

Philippines (93) – Blatche 41, Castro 15, Fajardo 9, Lee 8, Lassiter 8, Rosario 4, Aguilar 4, Pogoy 2, Barroca 2, Norwood 0, Ravena 0, Erram 0.

Kazakhstan (75) – Clemmons 27, Gavrilov 12, Yergali 11, Zhigulin 8, Murzagaliyev 8, Maidekin 4, Bazhin 3, Bykov 2, Kuanov 0, Aitkali 0.

Quarters: 22-21, 45-40, 71-60, 93-75.

Watch the highlights of the game below.