Gilas Pilipinas celebrates after Almond Vosotros knocks down the game-winning basket to beat top seed Mongolia in the Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup quarterfinals. Photo by Fiba
MANILA, Philippines—Almond Vosotros delivered the game-winning deuce as Gilas Pilipinas stunned No. 1 seed Mongolia, 21-20, to reach the semifinals of the 2022 Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup on Sunday in Singapore.
The Philippine men’s 3×3 squandered an 18-15 lead as Mongolia scored five straight points to inch a point closer from winning their quarterfinal duel.
Vosotros drew a foul to earn two free throws. He made the first attempt to cut the deficit to one, 19-20, but intentionally missed his second as Samboy De Leon grabbed the offensive rebound that led to Vosotros’ game-winning deuce with 1:34 left.
“I just shot it. Every time I’m open, I shot it. We didn’t give up and we gave our best,” said the TNT Tropang Giga star, who finished with eight points to upset World No.6 Mongolia.
The Philippines faces New Zealand, which beat Japan in the quarters, in the semifinals at 6 p.m.
De Leon was also instrumental with seven points after he helped the Philippines overcome an 8-11 deficit and give his team a 16-15 lead off his free throw.
Joseph Eriobu had five points, while Lervin Flores added one as they bounced back from an 11-21 loss to China on Saturday.
Anand Ariunbold led Mongolia with eight points, while Delgernyam Davaasambuu chipped in six markers.
The Scores:
PHILIPPINES 21 — Vosotros 8, de Leon 7, Eriobu 5, Flores 1.
MONGOLIA 20 — Ariunbold 8, Davaasambuu 6, Tsogt 4, Enkhbat 2.