Good day, Ballers! On Friday (June 18, 2021) at Angeles University Foundation, the Philippines extended its undefeated streak by crushing Indonesia 76-51 in the group round of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. Gilas Pilipinas, who had previously qualified for the main event, improved to 5-0 to win Group A. Meanwhile, Indonesia stayed in third place with a 1-4 card, but is still eligible for the tournament as the Asia Cup host.
Gilas wasn’t in a position to put Indonesia away until the third quarter, despite leading 30-22 at the half. Gilas went on a 13-0 run to take a 48-31 lead, which SJ Belangel finished off with a triple. The Philippines went ahead 59-38 after Carl Tamayo hit a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Tab Baldwin, the Gilas’ head coach, bemoaned his team’s inconsistent performance in the first half and chastised his players for their lack of discipline.
“It was for them to just settle down and understand that what we have worked to do is what we should do. And until you do that you’re an ill-disciplined bunch of individuals,” said Baldwin.
“I don’t think we’re talented enough to be an elite international team if we play like individuals.”
Ange Kouame and Justine Baltazar led Gilas with 11 points individually and a combined 14 rebounds. To help the Philippines’ offense, Dwight Ramos had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Carl Tamayo hit two consecutive triples early in the fourth quarter before crashing with a grade 1 ankle sprain, according to Baldwin, after accidentally stepping on Indonesia’s Arki Wisnu’s foot.
Lopez and Kai Sotto took up the scoring duties after that, displaying their apparently limitless enthusiasm with a pair of inside buckets to help the Philippines take a significant lead. With a slashing layup, Abarrientos gave Gilas their largest lead of the game, 25 points.
Gilas wraps up its third window when it faces Korea again on Sunday at 3 p.m., looking to maintain their perfect win-loss card.
PHILIPPINES 76 — Baltazar 11, Kouame 11, Ramos 10, Abarrientos 9, Lopez 8, Sotto 7, Tamayo 6, Gomez de Liano 4, Chiu 4, Belangel 3, Heading 3, Go 0.
INDONESIA 51 — Prosper 22, Grahita 8, Dhyaksa 8, Goantara 6, Wisnu 4, Kokodiputra 3, Sitorus 0, Teja 0, Kosasih 0, Saputra 0, Noor 0. Quarter
Scores: 15-11, 30-22, 51-36, 76-51.
That’s it for our Team Pilipinas against Indonesia. Ballers, get ready for the Gilas Pilipinas’ match against South Korea. Will the Gilas beat South Korea? Let’s find out and stay tuned for more updates! Laban Pilipinas!