GILAS Pilipinas overcame a slow start to beat Ivory Coast, 94-83, Wednesday evening (early Thursday Manila time) to go unbeaten in its two tune-up matches in Guadalajara, Spain.
Naturalized player Andray Blatche had 18 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists as Gilas erased a 28-19 first quarter deficit to beat the Ivorians in a battle of two FIBA World Cup participants.
Paul Lee scored 16 points, Japeth Aguilar produced 12 and CJ Perez added 11 points for Gilas Pilipinas, which the other day rolled to a 102-80 rout of Congo.
“I’m just proud. I guess that’s the most appropriate term,” coach Yeng Guiao told ESPN5. “I am really proud of the way they played, I am proud of the way they came back, I am proud of the way they were able to play against the physicality.”
Guiao and company prevailed despite missing veteran forward Gabe Norwood due to a mild groin strain.
Ivory Coast led the first half but Gilas was able to cut the margin to five at halftime, 50-45, setting up a strong showing in the final two quarters.
Gilas is due to leave for Malaga on Thursday to participate in a four-team pocket tournament along with the two African nations and host Spain.
The Nationals take on Congo in the knockout-style tourney at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena, with the winner advancing to play either Spain or Ivory Coast.
The prospect of playing Spain should excite Gilas, which needs high-level competition in order to gauge themselves before the matches opposite Serbia, Italy and Angola in Group D of the World Cup set in Foshan, China. (JONAS TERRADO)