Business Mirror
Date: November 27, 2017
By:  Ramon Rafael C. Bonilla –

THE Philippines wages war in its home turf against Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) with Gilas Pilipinas going for a 2-0 start in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After surviving a scrappy Japanese team last Friday in Tokyo, 77-71, Gilas hopes to carry the confidence it earned in the away game when the nationals face a Taiwanese crew that absorbed a 66-104 beating from Australia in another tournament opener.

Gearing up for an intense encounter at the Big Dome, Head Coach Chot Reyes wants to see improvements right from the tip-off which is set at 7:30 p.m.

“We have to make sure that we keep our focus at the task at hand,” Reyes told Sports5.

The national team led by as many as 14 points in the second period before Japan made a furious comeback to wrest a 40-37 lead early in the second half.

With Yuki Togashi and Makoto Hiejima manning the offense for the Akatsuki Five, the Filipinos launched a counterattack in the final frame to cool the Japanese rally down.

Jayson Castro was as reliable as ever and led the national team with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while naturalized player Andray Blatche finished with 13 points, 12 boards, five assisis, three steals and three blocks in his official return in a Gilas uniform since the Southeast Asia Basketball Association Championship in May.
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