The Philippines stormed their way to the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games Men's Basketball, completely overwhelming Qatar from start to finish in Hangzhou, China, on Monday, October 2.
Gilas Pilipinas delivered a resounding 80-41 victory, showcasing their prowess on the court and their determination to advance in the tournament.
From the opening tip, it was evident that the Philippines meant business. The team wasted no time in establishing their dominance, sprinting to a commanding 33-14 lead by the end of the first quarter. The momentum continued to build, with Gilas Pilipinas extending their lead to a staggering 34 points by halftime.
Leading the charge for Gilas Pilipinas were Junemar Fajardo and Jaymar Perez, each contributing 12 points to the rout.
Calvin Oftana added 11 points, while Japeth Aguilar showcased his all-around skills with 9 points and 4 blocks.
Ange Kouame made his presence felt with 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Kevin Alas and Arvin Tolentino contributed 8 and 6 points, respectively.
Qatar's Nedim Muslic emerged as the lone bright spot for his team, notching 12 points in a commendable effort.
With this convincing win, Gilas Pilipinas is now one step closer to their goal of clinching their first Asian Games medal since their bronze medal finish in 1998. They will be looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2002 when they face off against Iran.
The scores:
Philippines 80 – Fajardo 12, Perez 12, Oftana 11, Brownlee 9, Aguilar 9, Kouame 8, Alas 8, Tolentino 6, Thompson 3, Newsome 2, Ross 0, Lassiter 0.
Qatar 41 – Muslic 12, Ndoye 7, Ndao 5, Mousa 5, Lashin 4, Haracic 3, Advic 2, Dieng 2, Darwish 1, Talla 0, Hajar 0, Abdelbaset 0.
