By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
Jayson Castro scored on a difficult floater with 12 seconds left in the game to stave off a late rally by Japan and to lift the Philippines to a frantic 89-84 win at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Gilas Pilipinas improved to 3-1 while Japan is still winless at 0-4 and drops to the bottom of Group B of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Only the top 3 teams from each group will advance to the 2nd round of the qualifying stage.
Japan opened the game strong, racing to a 20-4 lead in the first five minutes of the game.
But the Gilas 5 responded well to the early Japanese onslaught and regained their composure to cut the lead down to 1, 22-21, at the end of the 1st quarter.
The Philippines then returned the favor with a 13-0 opening run in the 2nd quarter and led by as much as 15 points to put the home team up at halftime, 46-41.
Gilas remained relentless during the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Japanese squad, 26-20, to widen their gap at the end of the 3rd at 72-61.
The Philippines seemed to be cruising to an easy win and even led by 14, 85-71, with 4:33 left in the game.
But Japan did not back down, playing superb defense down the stretch and forcing Gilas to commit numerous turnovers.
Japan’s naturalized American import Ira Brown made a 3-pointer with a minute and 23 seconds left to cut the lead down to 6, 86-80.
Gilas naturalized import Andray Blatche then committed a turnover in the next possession which led to a Japan fastbreak, with guard Daiki Tanaka scoring on a layup and cutting the lead further, 86-82, with exactly a minute left in the game.
Brown then forced a steal against Kiefer Ravena down the next play which then led to another fastbreak, with Tanaka scoring on a layup to cut the lead down to a single possession, 86-84, with just 31 seconds left.
But that was the end of the furious Japan rally as Castro scored on the next possession to put away the visitors for good.
Blatche split his free throws to give the home side an 89-84 victory.
Blatche led the Philippines with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block. Game hero Castro returned to Gilas action with 8 points. Another returnee to the Gilas lineup, Troy Rosario added 14 points while Ravena contributed 13.
Japan was led by guard Makoto Hiejima who scored 23 points. Import Brown added 16 while Tanaka scored 12.
The Philippines will travel to Taiwan on June 29 to face Chinese Taipei.
They will then travel back to Manila to battle Group B leaders Australia on July 1.
Japan meanwhile will host Australia on June 29, and will battle Chinese Taipei on the road on July 1.
