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[av_heading heading=’Gilas bows to Iran in FIBA Asia Champions Cup ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Chooks-To-Go Gilas Pilipinas lost to Petrochimi of Iran 66-87 in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Tuesday night at the Chenzhou Sports Complex in China.
Its defeat caused the Philippines to slide to third place in Group A (2-2) and face Group B leader Kashgar team of China – led by Gilas naturalized center Andray Blatche – in a knockout quarterfinal game tonight.
Gilas had a solid start in the opening quarter behind Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena, who tallied 7 points that period, and American reinforcement Isaiah Austin only to trail 14-16.
Petrochimi widened the lead in the second quarter with American import Willie Warren draining four 3-point baskets for 43-29 at halftime.
Gilas tried to make a run early in the third quarter on inside hits by Austin but 3-point conversions from Iran, led by Sajjad Mashayekhi and Behnam Yakhchali, allowed the latter to further widen the lead 61-45.
The Philippines showed some life in the fourth as hits by Ravena, Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres cut the deficit 66-56 but a counter-run by Warren and Yakhchali restored a 20-point advantage for the Iranians.
Warren, who had stints with Los Angeles Clippers in NBA, finished with 30 points while Mashayekhi and Yakhchali contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively, for Iran.
For Gilas, Austin and Ravena finished with 20 points apiece./PN
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