Gilas Pilipinas plays sustained brilliance vs Puerto Rico in 1st Q

Philippines’ guard Jayson William (L), Philippines’ centre June Mar Fajardo (2L) and Philippines’ forward Ranidel de Ocampo (4L) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B. AFP FILE PHOTO

SEVILLE, Spain – Gilas Pilipinas didn’t have the same jack-rabbit start it had two days ago, but played with sustained brilliance in the first quarter against Puerto Rico to take its biggest lead in the Fiba World Cup.

The Filipinos closed out with 14 unanswered points inside the final 4:23 of the first period and took a 25-13 lead over the Puerto Ricans going into the second.

Even Andray Blatche was hitting shots from the outside and Marc Pingris was a terror underneath despite his size as the Philippines also strung up its longest scoring run in the tournament.

Blatche had five points, Gabe Norwood four, Paul Lee a triple and Tenorio a keyhole jumper during that run which established the Filipinos’ character, at least in the first half.

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