By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Pilipinas opened its 19th Asian Games bid in style, cruising past Bahrain, 89-61, in the men’s basketball event at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on Tuesday, Sept. 26;
The Nationals didn’t look like a team that was dealt with a series of lineup changes in the past few weeks, showing great display of chemistry, crisp passing and solid defense en route to the rousing victory that surely sent a warning shot to their Asian rivals.
The Filipinos did need some time to shake off some jitters in the opening frame when the Wayne Chism-led Bahrain stayed too close for comfort behind its outside sniping that recorded four triples in the first 10 minutes.
However, when the shocktroopers came in with Chris Ross providing the defensive intensity and CJ Perez leading the transition attack, there was simply no looking back for the Filipinos who tore the game apart in the ensuing quarters.
Justin Brownlee, as expected, spearheaded the attack with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds while Perez provided ample support with 15 points.
Ange Kouame also put up quality minutes with 15 points and six rebounds while Oftana chipped in 10. All but one player scored for head coach Tim Cone who is leading the Nationals’ mission of ending a 25-year medal drought for the Filipino dribblers.
Gilas shrugged off the early resistance from Bahrain which is certainly a no pushover in the tournament having been able to punch a ticket to the Olympic qualifying tournament where the Filipinos will also be a part of.
However, a 22-4 run in the second frame turned a tight 22-20 count for Gilas into a massive 18 point lead which at some point in the second half even grew to its largest at 34.
Maitham Jameel Almoathin paced Bahrain with 14 points, while Mustafa Rashed added 13. Ali Rashed added 12 but curiously missing in action for the team was Chism who was limited to just five points although he collared 13 boards.
Up next for Gilas is Thailand on Thursday, Sept. 28.
Meanwhile, the women’s team is also looking to get the same winning start as the men’s side when it faces up against Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Shaoxing Olympic Sports Gymnasium.
Tip-off of the match is at 5:30 p.m. with the first time Asian Games participants banking on their longtime members Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos.
