Gilas starts chase of 5th spot in FIBA Asia Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas starts Saturday its chase of the top spot in the consolation round versus host Lebanon even as Oceania giants Australia and New Zealand bring their rivalry over in one of the semifinal pairings in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut.

The Boomers of Australia and the Tall Blacks of New Zealand complete the Final Four cast with routs of China and Jordan, respectively, Thursday night.

Australia clobbered China, 97-71, while New Zealand smothered Jordan, 98-70, to join three-time champ Iran and two-time ruler South Korea in the semifinals of the tourney where Gilas was relegated into the consolation round following a crushing 86-118 blowout by the Koreans in the quarters on Wednesday.

The Filipinos, the Lebanese, the Jordanians and the Chinese fight for fifth to eighth spots in the closing weekend matches of the 12-day, 16-nation meet.

It’s Iran versus South Korea and Australia opposite New Zealand in the semis.

And it’s the Philippines versus Lebanon and Jordan against China in the consolation round.

It will be the Philippines’ worst finish in the last four editions of the meet after placing fourth in Wuhan in 2011, second in Manila in 2013 and once again second in Changsha in 2015.

Gunners Jason Cadee, Daniel Kickert and Mitchell McCarron fired at least three triples each and combined for a total of 43 points as the Aussies ended the title reign of the Chinese.

Li Gen and Guo Ailun scored 19 and 13 points, respectively, to pace the losing side.

Meanwhile, the Tall Blacks were most imposing in their 28-point conquest of the Jordanians.

Tohiraukura Smith Milner, Shea Ili and Finn Delany powered New Zealand past Jordan with at least 17 points each.