FIBA Asia: Gilas Pilipinas beats defending champion Iran, 87-73

(Screengrab from FIBA Asia’s video)

MANILA – Gilas Pilpinas gave Iran its first loss in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Monday at the Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium, also handing over the Philippines’ first win over the Iranian national team with an 87-73 victory.

“This game was won by individuals playing as a team… To many who don’t know Philippine basketball, it won’t make sense,” Philippine national team head coach Tab Baldwin told reporters. “But today, we really exploited the individual skills of our players.”

Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo led the second-half with back-to-back treys that allowed Gilas to gain control over Iran. Despite sustaining an ankle injury a day prior the game, Andray Blatche was also able to play well and contributed shots, rebounds, steals, a block and an assist.

Jayson Catro finished with a huge 26 points, while Blatche registered 18 points and seven rebounds; Romeo had 15 points and Abueva had13.

Iran, on the other hand, was led by Mohammadsamad Nik Khahbahrami with 21 points, Sajjad Mashayekhi and Mehdi Kamrani scored 11, while Hamed Haddadi only contributed 10 points to the team.

Both the Philippines and Iran now have a 3-1 win-loss standing.

The scores:

Gilas Pilipinas 87 – Castro 26, Blatche 18, Romeo 15, Abueva 13, Norwood 5, De Ocampo 5, Hontiveros 3, Taulava 2, Intal 0, Pingris 0, Ganuelas 0, Thoss 0.

Iran 73 – Nik Khahbahrami 21, Mashayekhi 11, Kamrani 11, Haddadi 10, Jamshidijafarabadi 7, Davari 9, Hassanzadeh Saberia 2, Davarpanahfard Karekani 2, Yakhchalidehkordi 0, Afagh 0, Sahakian 0.

Quarters: 22-25, 37-43, 65-60, 87-73