Chan sizzles with 20 as Smart Gilas Pilipinas routs Uzbekistan in Fiba Asia Cup

Chan lights up the scoreboard in Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ 85-50 win over Uzbekistan in the Fiba Asia Cup. PHOTO/tokyo2012.fibaasia.net

MANILA, Philippines —  Smart Gilas Pilipinas did not pull its punches and blasted Uzbekistan 85-50 Sunday for a second triumph in the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup at the Ota Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

Sniper Jeff Chan ended up with 20 points, and at one point nearly outscored the entire Uzbekistan squad, as he knocked down four treys.

The Philippines cracked the game wide open in the second quarter and had a comfortable lead in the ensuing periods as Chan hit his 20th point while the Uzbek were stuck at 23.

Jared Dillinger, meanwhile, continued to provide a scoring punch for the Philippines, adding 10 points in just 11 minutes on the floor.

Fresh off a tough win over Lebanon Saturday night, the match was a much-needed respite for head coach Chot Reyes and his squad as he got a chance to rest his key guys.

Marcus Douthit saw only 14 minutes of action but still contributed nine points and four rebounds for Gilas Pilipinas, which managed to stretch the lead as wide as 35 points.

Philippines, which improved to 2-1 in group A, faces Macau Monday morning.