Gilas snaps losing run, rips Kazakhs

MANILA, Philippines – Mac Belo erupted for 30 points and hauled down 11 rebounds as Gilas Pilipinas 5.0 topped Kazakhstan, 98-86, to finally break into the win-column in the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran, Iran yesterday.

Ed Daquiaog and Russell Escoto provided the needed backup job, combining for 29 points as the Filipinos got over the hump after three straight losses to India, Chinese Taipei and China.

The Filipinos outgunned the Kazakhs from beyond the arc, 9-1, and also played better on the run in pulling off the 12-point triumph.

At 1-3, Team Phl, however, remained outside the Top Four in Group E behind China, Chinese Taipei, Jordan and India. Kazakhstan was at sixth without a win in four matches.

The top four from this Group E advance to the knockout round versus the top four from Group F among Iran, Korea, Japan, Iraq, Qatar and Thailand.

The Filipinos are hard pressed to win over the Jordanians today to get a chance at salvaging a quarters slot.

Boosted by solid naturalized player Darquavis Lamar Tucker, Jordan, however, was impressive in its 89-71 conquest of Kazakhstan and its 121-65 trampling of India.

Veterans Zaid Abbas, Mohammad Hussein and Sinan Eid are the other top guns of coach Sam Daghles, a former prized Jordanian player who had a stint as TNT’s Asian import in the PBA.