Gilas Pilipinas sweeps Chinese Taipei in Fiba World qualifiers

Photo from FIBA.Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas recovered from a slow start and repeated over the hotshooting Chinese Taipei, 93-71, in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers Friday night in Taiwan.

Down by nine in the first quarter, the Filipinos flipped the switch in the second quarter and never looked back to sweep the Taiwanese.

June Mar Fajardo showed his might and unleashed 22 points in an efficient 9-of-12 shooting to lead Gilas Pilipinas.

Andray Blatche was solid this time out, finishing with 13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Top guards Jayson Castro and Terrence Romeo also delivered with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

With Japan dealing Australia a 79-78 shocker earlier, Gilas Pilipinas forced a tie at the top of Group B with a 4-1 record.

The Filipinos meet the Australians on Monday at Philippine Arena for the lead in their bracket.

Chinese Taipei came out of the gates hot, but was unable to stop the onslaught from the Filipinos despite nailing seven triples in the first half.

Quincy Davis paced Taiwan, which dropped to 1-4 in Group B, with 17 points and seven rebounds while Cheng-Ju Lu added 13 points on four threes.