Gilas Pilipinas defeats Adelaide 36ers behind Blatche’s near triple-double

With the entire band back together, the Gilas Pilipinas made sweet music by defeating the Adelaide 36ers in the first of two tune-up games at the Meralco Fitness Center Gym. This improves Team Pilipinas’ record in scrimmages before the FIBA World Cup to 4-1.

Coach Yeng Guiao’s crew had the momentum for most of the match. However, the Australians bounced back to claim an 81-80 lead in the fourth quarter. That alarmed Gilas as they established a 10-0 run thanks to Andray Blatche’s passing and Roger Pogoy’s scorching shooting. Japeth Aguilar’s two-handed dunk with about 35 seconds remaining settled the final count.

The naturalized Filipino posted 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists. Aguilar made 17 while CJ Perez contributed 12. Pogoy and Paul Lee connected on 10 markers apiece while Robert Bolick finished with eight. Raymond Almazan, Mark Barroca, and June Mar Fajardo chipped in seven, five, and four scores, respectively.

Ramone Moore led the charge for Coach Joey Wright’s men with 16 points. Harry Froling supported with 11 while Brendan Teys and Daniel Dillon each had ten. Deshon Taylor and Eric Griffin ended with nine points apiece. Obi Kyei, captain Daniel Johnson, and Jack McVeigh rounded out the scoring for the guest squad with eight, six, and four markers, respectively.

Gilas and the 36ers will have one more scrimmage on August 25, four days before the Philippine senior men’s national team leaves for China.

(Photo credit: FIBA)