Iran denies Gilas graceful exit

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas’ journey in the 2019 FIBA World Cup ended the same way it started 95-75 in disappointing fashion.

Asian rival Iran denied Gilas a graceful exit in the prestigious hoopfest, sealing a complete shutout for the underwhelming Filipinos via a 95-75 beating last night at Beijing’s Wukesong Sport Arena.

Hamed Haddadi dominated with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, making the most damage in a 14-3 salvo that triggered Iran’s second-quarter pullaway, as the Iranians sent Gilas reeling to a woeful 0-5 record overall, rubbing salt on the wound of a nation that eats, sleeps and breathes basketball.

Andray Blatche posted 12 points, five boards and five dish-offs before getting tossed out in the fourth on account of his second technical foul of the night, embodying the nightmarish stint of Gilas in the tournament that served as a harsh reality check and wakeup call.

Gilas had its best shooting in the first quarter, knocking down six triples to put itself within striking distance of Iran, 24-30, but its offense went sour from there even as Haddadi asserted himself and towed Iran to a 48-34 tear at the turn.

The Iranians maintained their foot on the accelerator the rest of the way to put the game beyond error-prone Team Phl’s reach.

The blowout to Iran put to an end an excruciating 10 days of agony for a Philippine side tipped to do well especially after acquitting themselves well in the 2014 edition, but stumbled big time in their second foray.

They got massacred by European juggernauts Italy and Serbia before blowing a winnable game against the Angolans. Then their woes were compounded by a flat start in a 19-point loss to Tunisia at the classification phase’s kickoff.

With a big fat egg against the world’s best, it’s now back to the proverbial drawing board as Gilas heads home and licks it wound from this debacle.

The scores:

Iran 95 – Haddadi 19, Bahrami 17, Jamshidi 16, Yakchali 15, Geramipoor 12, Mashayekhi 6, Mozafarri 4,  Hassanzadeh 4, Rostampour 3, Mirzhaei 0, Hosseinsadeh 0, Zangeneh 0

Philippines 75 – Bolick 15, Blatche 12, Fajardo 10, Perez 9, Pogoy 7, Norwood 6, Aguilar 5, Ravena 3, Lee 3, Barroca 2, Rosario 2, Almazan 1.

Quarterscores: 30-24, 48-34, 750, 95-75