Gilas mounts late-game rally to squeak past Qatar in Doha Cup
Dwight Ramos shoots over a defender to lead Gilas Pilipinas over Qatar in the 2nd Doha International Cup. –QATAR BASKETBALL FEDERATION
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas began its 2nd Doha International Cup campaign on a high note with a 74-71 win over over home bet Qatar.
Gilas leaned on an explosive fourth quarter to salvage a victory in front of local and Filipino fans at Qatar University Stadium.
SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at 2nd Doha International Cup
The pocket tournament is part of Gilas’ preparation for a pair of away games in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers next week and the continental meet in August.
Qatar led the Philippines, 69-65, in the fourth quarter before the National team went on a game-ending 9-2 rally, kickstarted by a fadeaway jumper by Dwight Ramos with 3:25 on the clock.
From there, it was all Gilas.
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Trailing by one, 69-68, the Philippines turned to naturalized swingman Justin Brownlee for the exclamation dunk to put Gilas ahead, 70-69, with 2:23 left to play.
Ramos capped his hot-shooting night for Gilas with 15 points built on a 50 percent field goal shooting clip. June Mar Fajardo asserted his dominance in the paint with 12 points and seven rebounds while the pair of Scottie Thompson and Brownlee finished with 10 points each.
Tyler James Lee Harris spearheaded Qatar with 17 points in the defeat. Michael O’Neal Lewis II, meanwhile, tallied 15 to his name but to no avail.
The visiting Filipinos will try to keep their slate unblemished after two games later tonight at 11 pm (PH time) against Lebanon.
