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[av_heading heading=’Gilas blazes past Iran in Jones Cup
Myers, Wright lead scoring for 4th place’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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TAIPEI – Gilas Pilipinas used its advantage in speed to the hilt against a tall Iran side, hammering out a 90-82 win on Sunday night to end its campaign in the 39th Jones Cup.
Gilas started with guns blazing and finished just as strongly to put away its sixth win in nine games and finish in fourth place in this 10-nation, nine-day event ruled by Canada.
Import Mike Myers led the way for Gilas with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Matthew Wright added 20 points, including a 3-pointer that put Iran away, 84-69, with 2:05 left.
However, the manner in which Gilas fashioned out the victory didn’t please head coach Chot Reyes, who expressed his frustration over the defense and the effort he saw on the floor.
“I thought this was the worst game we played here,” said Reyes, whose team finished behind South Korea, Lithuania and eventual champion Canada. All three teams beat Gilas in the tournament.
“In the game against Korea we shot poorly but defended really well. Same thing with Canada and Lithuania, I was very happy (with the defensive effort) there.
“Maybe the players were tired, or they kind of overlooked Iran. I really thought we played well below our potential in this ball game.”
Reyes nonetheless liked the progress the team made in its first tournament together ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon and the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Most of the members of this team are bound for the Southeast Asian Games while Jio Jalalon, Roger Pogoy and Matthew Wright are set to play for Gilas in the FIBA Asia Cup.
“Overall, it was a good tour, not only did we leave a good impression here considering that this is just our third week together. It speaks well of the program,” Reyes said. “Unfortunately, it could have ended better.”
Canada and Lithuania finished with 8-1 records, but the former won the title by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule. (SPIN.ph)
SCORES
GILAS 90 – Myers 21, Wright 20, Standhardinger 13, Pogoy 9, Ravena 8, Cruz 5, Parks 5, Ferrer 3, Jose 2, Tolomia 2, Pessumal 2, Jalalon 0
IRAN 82 – Pazrofteh 21, Soleymani 21, Khajehzadeh 12, Mozafarivanani 11, Rezaeifar 11, Beigiharchegani 3, Falahat 2, Shaharian Nasl 1, Mohammadi 0, Rezaei 0, Reaei 0
QUARTERS – 26-22; 50-42; 70-62; 90-82
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