Gilas yields to first-timer Palestine to start 2015 Fiba Asia bid

By: Mark Giongco - 9 years ago

What was expected to be a rude welcoming by Gilas Pilipinas turned into an opening day shocker for newcomer Palestine.

Gilas Pilipinas blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter and lost to tournament first-timer Palestine, 75-73, at the start of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship Wednesday in Changsha, China.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas 2015 Fiba Asia Championship schedule

Palestine’s Sani Sakakini made the game-winning basket, converting a three-point play with 15.8 seconds left, to freeze the final score for the unranked Palestinians.

Andray Blatche put Gilas back in front, 73-72, with about a minute left before Sakakini completed Palestine’s comeback from 11 points down in the final quarter.

Jamal Abu Shamala led Palestine with 26 points, including back-to-back triples that gave them the first taste the lead after playing catch up, 72-71,with 1:34 remaining.

Blatche notched a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds while Terrence Romeo had 11 points. Gilas was left searching for its offense after shooting just 34% from the field.

The Philippines looks to redeem itself against Hong Kong Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Hong Kong had a rousing debut after pummeling fellow lightweight Kuwait, 87-50, earlier.

The Scores

PALESTINE 75 – Abu Shamala 26, S. Sakakini 22, Qahwash 17, S. Sakakini 10, Haroon 0, Younis 0, Yousef 0.

PHILIPPINES 73- Blatche 21, Romeo 11, Castro 10, Intal 6, De Ocampo 6, Abueva 5, Thoss 4, Hontiveros 3, Norwood 3, Pingris 2, Ganuelas 2, Taulava 0.

Quarters: 12-27, 28-18, 15-14, 20-14.