Team Philippines finishes flat, yields to Iranians 73-81

MANILA, Philippines — It was a nip-and-tuck affair between an undermanned Iran squad and a new-look team Philippines.

Until halfway through the final period.

Iran’s shooters and big men regained their shooting groove just in time to capitalize Philippines’ lack of it en route to a 81-73 victory, opening their second round campaign of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers on a winning note Thursday night at the Azady Gym in Tehran.  

Christian Standhardinger, as if picking up where he left off in the Asiad, mounted yet another efficiant performance adorned with a double-double of 30 points and 12 rebounds.

But all of that were rendered futile by Samad Nikkhah Bahrami ’s 21 markers, pared with Sajjad Mashayekhi’s 19 and Arsalan Kazemi Naeini’s 11.

Standhardinger, who had a staggering 71 percent shooting clip, barely had help in the scoring effort. Alex Cabagnot was the closest to the former’s production with nine points. Beau Belga chimed in seven more.

Both teams struggled from deep but the Iranians fared much better compared to the Filipinos. The hosts converted seven of their 22 attempts, while the visitors sank only five of 28 tries. 

The lackluster showing in the rebounding department went on to hound the Filipinos as they gave up 45 for the Iranians, who barely needed the help of their tallest and most popular member, Hamed Haddadi. The Nationals were only able to coral a total of 36.

The 7-foot-2 Haddadi only checked in in the with under a minute left in the tussle. He sat out for the majority of the match as he was reportedly dealing with a groin injury.  

The Yeng Guiao mentored Team Pilipinas will make a quick turnaround to prepare for their home game against Qatar which will be played behind closed doors this Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The loss puts Philippines’ record in the qualfiying tournament at 4-3. Iran, for its part, is enjoying a 6-1 card in the skirmish.

Iran’s only loss came against Iraq in their very first match in the global contest in November 2017.

The last time Philippines defeated Iran was during the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, China, where Tab Baldwin steered Gilas to a 87-73 victory against the regional powerhouse.