Gilas trims Japan in opener of FIBA World Cup qualifier

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas withstood a determined Japanese squad trying hard but not hard enough to pull off a stunner on home turf and plucked a  77-71 victory in a dynamic start of  its campaign in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers last night at the Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Jayson Castro, a two-time FIBA Asia Best Guard, top scored with 20 points and took charge in the most crucial moment of the game as the Nationals won their opening game in Group B competition in this WC qualifier among 16 nations from Asia-Oceania.

Andray Blatche, Matthew Wright and Gabe Norwood also played key roles as Gilas frustrated the Japanese and their home crowd, and lined themselves up for a two-game sweep in Round One of the qualifiers versus Chinese Taipei on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With a better field shooting, the Nationals took the initiative most of the way but still needed clutch baskets by Castro at the finish to dispose of a Japanese side that competed well with its sleek running game and good perimeter shooting.

Castro found an answer on each clutch basket by Japanese guard Yuki Togashi in the crunch, with the last bucket made by the Filipino playmaker – a booming straight-away trey – all but sealing Gilas’ win at 75-69. 

The TNT KaTropa ace player played 28 minutes and collected sterling all-around numbers of 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and one steal against one turnover.