It’s Philippines vs. China for Asia title

JAY R. GOTERA Saudi Gazette   MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas reasserted its mastery of Japan, prevailing for the third time this year, 81-70, late Friday night to arrange a highly anticipated gold medal battle against powerhouse and still undefeated China in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Saturday night at the Changsha Social Work Colleges Gymnasium in Changsha, China. In Friday’s first semifinals match, China dethroned defending champion Iran, 70-57, with a tremendous display of firepower. As in previous games, Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro spearheaded the Gilas assault on the tough and deadly Japanese squad, scoring 22 and 20 points, respectively. Veteran gunner Dondon Hontiveros provided the much needed extra firepower for the Filipinos, banging in 18 points on six three-pointers in his finest performance yet in the tournament. The victory was the seventh straight for the Filipinos after an eye-opening upset loss to first-timer Palestine. They will be going for their eighth and final win against China as they seek to once again claim the Asian basketball title they last won way back in 1986. Energized by their smashing quarterfinals victory against Qatar a day earlier, the Japanese managed to keep the score close for three quarters behind the torrid shooting of guard Makoto Hiejima who racked up 22 points just before halftime ended. Japan even led the Philippines by six, 35-29, in the second quarter, which ended with the score tied at 37-all. Behind the guns of Castro, the Filipinos were able to erect an eight-point lead, 54-46, late in the third quarter. The Japanese came charging back, unleashing an 8-0 barrage, which knotted the score at 54-all entering the final quarter. The Filipinos, however, refused to be rattle by the Japanese counter strike. First, Castro and Hontiveros banged in five straight points. Then Ranidel de Ocampo finally found his groove, hitting a three-pointer and then drilling three free throws to give Gilas an eight-point advantage, 65-57, with over six minutes left. The Japanese started showing signs of fatigue as they could not get their plays going. The Filipinos took advantage as they pounding their rivals with well-executed plays, sealing the victory that gives them a chance to snare the lone Asian ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the China versus Iran semifinals match earlier Friday, former NBA player Yi Jianlian led his team with 13 points and eight boards. Iranian behemoth Hamed Haddadi finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but had a difficult time against the pesky Chinese defense. China led all the way, although it had some scary moments late in the game when Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami teamed up to unleash a 12-2 run, cutting the Chinese lead to just six, 58-52. Yi and Zhou Qi then converted two straight baskets to finally vanquish the proud Iranians.