Gilas’ one-two punch top performers in Fiba Asia q’finals

Graphics from Fiba.com

Graphics from Fiba.com

Leading Gilas Pilipinas to the semifinals of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in Changsha, China, Jayson Castro and Andray Blatche’s efforts did not go unnoticed as the two figured in the top performers of the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Castro was the top point guard in the round of eight, pacing the Philippines with 25 points on  5-of-10 shooting from three, alongside three rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Blatche also made an impact as the top power forward, finishing with 24 markers, 17 rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots in Gilas’ 82-70 win against Lebanon.

Top stars from the other three semifinalists found their way in the day’s best, with Japan’s Takatoshi Furukawa nabbing 22 points, on a 4-of-9 shooting from threes, five rebounds, and one steal in Team Hayabusa’s shocker over Qatar.

Yi Jianlian led China with 21 points, seven boards, three steals, and a rejection in Team Dragon’s rout of India.

Hamed Haddadi was named as the best center of the quarterfinals, leading Iran over Korea with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.

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