Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas opens Champions Cup with rousing win vs Kazakhs

Photo from FibaAsia.com

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas did just enough to hold off BC Astana, 73-65, to open its 2017 Fiba Asia Champions Cup campaign Friday at Chenzhou Sports Center in Chenzhou, China.

Kiefer Ravena uncorked nine of his 22 points in the third quarter, where the Philippine side staged a huge fightback after being down by as big as 11, 40-29.

The 23-year-old also had three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, including the game-sealing freebies with 20 seconds left in the clock as Gilas got off to a good start in the continental club competition.

Isaiah Austin also impressed in his first game in national team colors, firing 17 markers, 18 rebounds, and six blocks to hold the paint for Chooks-to-Go.

Jett Manuel also added 10 points, while Jeric Teng got seven in the victory.

Chooks rallied back from a 51-44 deficit midway in the third quarter with a 13-2 blast, punctuated by a Jeric Teng three to take a 57-53 lead with 1:14 left in the period.

BC Astana stayed alive in the fourth quarter, thanks to back-to-back triples from Anthony Clemmons and Alexandr Zhigulin in the final 3:48 that cut Chooks’ lead down to two, 65-63, but LA Revilla and Austin iced the win with huge baskets in the end game.

Dmitriy Gavrilov paced BC Astana with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Clemmons and Justin Carter both had 10 in the defeat.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas will shoot for its second win on Saturday as it takes on Sarreyet Ramallah of Palestine.

The Scores:

CHOOKS-TO-GO PILIPINAS 73 — Ravena 22, Austin 17, Manuel 10, Jeri. Teng 7, Jose 6, Revilla 5, Cruz 2, Torres 2, Jero. Teng 1, Tamsi 1, Vosotros 0.

BC ASTANA 65 — Gavrilov 11, Clemmons 10, Carter 10, Degtyarev 8, Murzagaliyev 8, Zhigulin 8, Yergali 6, Kolesnikov 2, Marchuk 2, Chsherbak 0.

Quarters: 21-19, 35-43, 57-55, 73-65.