Jordan ended Powerade-Team Pilipinas’ semifinals hopes in the 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship on Friday after an 81-70 win in their quarterfinal match at the Tianjin gym in Tianjin, China.The win moved Jordan closer of earning one of the three berths in next year’s FIBA world championship in Turkey.
Former high school quarterback Rasheim Wright, also a US NCAA Division II Independent Player of the Year from District Columbia University, led the Jordanians with 21 points.
Despite the loss, the game was an improvement for the Powerade-backed RP 5 compared to its 90-59 setback to the same team in last month’s Jones Cup in Taiwan.
Team Pilipinas even enjoyed a brief 24-22 lead with barely three minutes gone in the second quarter courtesy of back-to-back three-pointers by James Yap and Mick Pennisi, and a split free throw by Gabe Norwood.
Jordan, however, pushed the right buttons in the final five minutes of the second period to take a 45-33 lead at the turn.
Wright then teamed up with Zaid Abbas buried timely baskets to keep the Nationals at bay in the third and in the early goings of the fourth to keep a double digit spread, 67-55.
Still, Team Pilipinas had one final push with Norwood sparking an 8-1 exchange draining consecutive three-pointers capped by a Cyrus Baguio lay-up to move within five, 68-63, 5;55 left in the game.
But Jordan could not be denied of the win as Wright capped his offensive show with back-to-back jumpers to end the Philippines hopes.
A quarterfinals spot is already an improvement on the Nationals’ ninth place finish in the 2007 Tokushima FIBA-Asia meet. It was also the highest for the Philippine team since its seventh place performance in Kobe, Japan in 1991.
The last time the country won the biennial cage meet came in 1986 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when it was still known as the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Men’s Championship. - GMANews.TV
Scores:
Jordan 81 - Wright 21, Idais 20, Abbas Z.9, Soobzokov 9, Alkhas 6, Daghles 6, Alawadi 4, Al-Sous 4, Hadrab 2, Alnajjar 0, Almaaytah 0, Abbas I. 0.
Philippines 70 - Norwood 11, Dillinger 10, Miller 10, Pennisi 9, Baguio 9, Taulava 7, Yap 6, Raymundo 4, Thoss 2, Helterbrand 2, Aguilar 0, Santos 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17; 45-33; 67-52; 81-70.
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