Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. FIBA ASIA CUP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and China settled for a 79-79 draw in their tune-up game after the recently concluded 2021 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Gilas and China are already qualified for the Asia Cup in Indonesia and squeezed in one last scrimmage at Angeles University Foundation Wednesday before flying to their respective training camps to prepare for the tournament.
China had to dig deep in the final three minutes after it fell behind 75-68 with 2:54 left after RJ Abarrientos’ jumper.
Gilas Pilipinas all pumped up versus China! #ParaSaBayan #Puso pic.twitter.com/QiUbFqTxtn
— SBP (@officialSBPinc) June 23, 2021
Zhao Jiwei’s triple cut the Philippine lead to four, 75-71, with 2:10 left but Gilas immediately took a 78-71 lead following Justine Baltazar’s basket with 1:07 to play.
Down 79-77 in the final seconds, China scrambled and converted a missed free-throw at the buzzer to end the scrimmage in a tie.
Kai Sotto led the Philippines with 13 points while Ange Kouame and Jordan Heading each had 12 points.