Team Philippines outplays Kazakhstan for rousing Asian Games opener

MANILA, Philippines — Success in the first order of business.

Team Philippines mounted a blistering 12-2 run in the first three minutes of the game against Kazakhstan, looking to dictate the tempo.

Three quarters later, they were still enjoying that and more. The Filipinos went on to put themselves squarely on the driver’s seat through their defense and hustle as they enjoyed an erratic shooting by their foes en route to a 96-59 victory in Group D action of the Asian Games men’s basketball tournament at the Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday afternoon.

Stanley Pringle, a first-time member of the national quintet, scattered 18 points to lead the Filipinos in scoring.

James Yap, who last logged a national team tour of duty nine years ago, chimed in 12 more to help in the scoring effort.

PBA's top rookie pick in Christian Standhardinger displayed his vast arsenal, too. He accounted for 15 points.

But the most telling bit was the Filipinos’ effort on the defensive end. Team Philippines, which was formed hastily following a dramatic flip-flopping by the basketball federation, made the Kazakhs labor on their shooting and second-chance points.

Kazakhstan, as a result, turned the ball over 22 times — a far cry to the Philippines’ nine. The former team was 41% from the field (13/32 shots), against the Pinoys’ 59% (23/39).

Everyone from the Philippine team saw action and produced.

Anton Bykov tried to keep his squad in the game with 13 points, as Dmitriy Gavrilov and Rustam Yergali added in nine and eight points, respectively. But all that was put to naught as the Filipinos were already enjoying a cushion from the gritty stand they mounted in the opening salvo.

NBA cager Jordan Clarkson, whose spot was left open by head coach Yeng Guiao days leading to the tournament, joined his teammates at the venue in the third period after a connecting flight from Singapore. He is set to don the Philippine tricolor in the game against the Chinese.

The victory marks the third straight time the Philippines won over Kazakhstan in the quadrennial meet. The last time was in Incheon in September 2014 when Marcus Douthit was ordered to hit in the team's basket in a bid to chase quotient.

The Filipinos virtually booked a place in the next round of the skirmishes. They take on China at 5 p.m. next Tuesday.