Gilas bounces back with rout vs Japan, assures better Asiad finish

FILE: SLAM. Jordan Clarkson dunks the ball during the basketball match against Japan at the 2018 Asian Games held at GBK Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday night. Gilas Pilipinas won, 113-80. (PSC pool photo via PNA)

MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas expressed all its frustration for losing the Asian Games quarterfinals to South Korea on Japan as the squad posted a 113-80 rout in their consolation match at the GBK Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday night.

Gilas broke out of a 27-all deadlock after the first quarter and pulled away from Japan in the final 30 minutes, to secure a spot in the playoff for fifth place.

Chris Standhardinger made 27 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals for Gilas, which is now assured of finishing no worse than sixth place, meaning the team will have a better finish than its dismal 2014 campaign, where it finished seventh.

Jordan Clarkson added 22 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and one block.

Taichi Nakamura made 16 markers, 11 dimes, and three boards for Japan, which fell to the battle for seventh place.