Almond Vosotros catches fire to carry the Philippines to the main draw of the 2022 Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup.
MANILA, Philippines — Almond Vosotros delivered the big shots as Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 beat Indonesia, 21-15, to reach the main draw of the 2022 Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup on Thursday in Singapore.
Vosotros waxed hot with 11 points, putting on the finishing touches with back-to-back deuces to eliminate Indonesia with four minutes to spare.
The Filipino cagers completed a two-game qualifying Draw C and will resume their campaign on Saturday in Group C with host Singapore and China.
“We’re so happy and blessed that our fellow countrymen are there for us,” said Vosotros.
The Philippines 🇵🇭 defeat Indonesia and advance to the #3x3Asia 🏆 pool stage 😤 pic.twitter.com/E7wE9jMnNT
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 7, 2022
Joseph Eriobu chipped in eight points for their team which is also bannered by Samboy de Leon and Lervin Flores.
Earlier, Eriobu delivered the game-winning deuce to beat Jordan, 21-19, with 1:22 to go.
Sandy Aziz carried the cudgels of Indonesia with 11 points as failed to advance with a 1-1 record in the group.
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas Women absorbed a heartbreaking 13-11 defeat to Thailand, bowing out of contention in the tournament.
Rujiwan Bunsinprom came to the rescue for the Thais as she delivered a clutch two-point play for a 12-11 advantage with 22.8 seconds left.
Khate Castillo tried to regain the lead for the women’s national 3×3 team. But her shot from deep went off the mark before Miss Thunchanok Lumdabpang stretched Thailand’s cushion to two, 13-11.
Camille Clarin attempted a potential game-tying deuce but she missed as the Philippines failed to make it to the main draw.
Afril Bernardino led with six points, while Castillo added four points as Gilas Women finished 1-1 in Group D of the qualifying draw, including a strong 21-9 victory over Jordan to open their campaign earlier.
Lumdabpang and Bunsinprom led the Thais with four points each as they reached the main draw.
The Scores:
Men’s:
First Game
PHILIPPINES 21 — Vosotros 11, Eriobu 6, de Leon 2, Flores 2.
JORDAN 19 — Alnajdawi 10, Hassooneh 7, Obeid 2, Abuaboud 0.
Second Game
PHILIPPINES 21 — Vosotros 11, Eriobu 8, de Leon 1, Flores 1.
INDONESIA 15 — Aziz 11, Guntara 3, Chalias 1, Disi 0.
Women’s:
First Game
PHILIPPINES 21 — Bernardino 7, Castillo 7, Guytingco 5, Clarin 2.
JORDAN 9 — Al Hinn 5, Abu Jbarah 2, Najjar 2, Haddad 0.
Second Game
THAILAND 13 — Bunsinprom 4, Lumdabpang 4, Prajuapsook 3, Thuamon 2.
PHILIPPINES 11 — Bernardino 6, Castillo 4, Guytingco 1, Clarin 0.