Gilas Pilipinas’ Justine Baltazar. FIBA ASIA CUP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines continued its unbeaten run and crushed Indonesia, 76-51, in the group stage of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers Friday at Angeles University Foundation.
Gilas Pilipinas, already qualified to the main tournament, hiked its record to 5-0 to reign atop Group A.
Indonesia, meanwhile, remained at third with a 1-4 card but is still qualified for the competition by virtue of it being the host of the Asia Cup.
Despite leading 30-22 at the end of the first half, Gilas wasn’t in a position to put Indonesia away just then, until the third quarter happened.
Gilas mounted a 13-0 run that SJ Belangel capped off with a triple for 48-31 lead. Carl Tamayo then drilled a three-pointer early in the fourth that put the Philippines up 59-38.
Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin lamented his team’s erratic play in the first half and called out his players’ lack of discipline.
“It was for them to just settle down and understand that what we have worked to do is what we should do. And until you do that you’re an ill-disciplined bunch of individuals,” said Baldwin.
“I don’t think we’re talented enough to be an elite international team if we play like individuals.”
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Ange Kouame and Justine Baltazar each had 11 points to lead Gilas while grabbing a combined 14 rebounds.
Dwight Ramos finished with a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double to aid the Philippines’ offense.
Lest Prosper carried Indonesia with 22 points, eight boards, and four blocks.
When the two teams met in February 2020, the Filipinos also overwhelmed the Indonesians by 30 points, 100-70.
