MANILA, Philippines -- Jayson Castro and Andray Blatche dished out big games as Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the semifinals after an 82-70 victory over Lebanon late Thursday night in the 2015 FIBA Asia Men's Championship at the Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium in Hunan, China.
Castro scattered 25 points hitting 12 in the opening canto and added 10 in the third period that kept Gilas on top despite Lebanon's relentless chase while Andray Blatche had his best game in the tournament finishing with a monster double-double.
Castro knocked down a key three-pointer, his only basket in the fourth quarter, to give Gilas a 12-point buffer entering the final two and a half minutes while Marc Pingris scored two straight baskets that sealed their sixth straight win in this Olympic qualifier.
Gilas thus arranged a rematch with Japan, which it barely beat in the second round, in the semifinals on Friday.
Lebanon gave Gilas a fitting tuneup for the semifinals with a tough stand. But the Filipinos always have an answer to every Lebanese rally in this game.
With Lebanon inching within three, 37-34, Castro hit seven straight points to give Gilas its first double digit lead, 47-37, in the third canto.
Lebanon again threatened and came within five but Terrence Romeo hit a three to stop the rally towards the end of the third period.
As the Lebanese made their final push and came within four, 61-57, Andray Blatche took matters into his own hands. The former NBA player hit six straight points in an 8-2 run that restored a double digit lead for Gilas, 69-59.
Blatche finished with 24 points, 17 rebounds, three assists and two shot blocks in his most productive game in the tournament.
Romeo, Pingris and Calvin Abueva combined for 25 points providing a solid support to Gilas' 1-2 punch.