MANILA, Philippines – It did not matter whether Gilas Pilipinas played at home or on the road, it still yielded the same result against Hong Kong.
The Philippines earned another blowout win over visiting Hong Kong, 93-54, to complete a sweep of its two-game homestand in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, November 24.
Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo dominated inside as the Filipinos stayed unbeaten in four games and closed in on becoming the first team from Group B to clinch an Asia Cup berth.
To officially advance, the Philippines needs New Zealand (2-1) to beat Chinese Taipei (1-2) on Monday, November 25.
Hosting Hong Kong this time after coasting to a 30-point rout in their first encounter, the Nationals delivered an equally emphatic victory.
One of the stars in a breakthrough win over New Zealand three days prior, Sotto shone anew with 12 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Fajardo produced 14 points and 8 rebounds as they fueled the Philippines’ fiery start.
The twin towers scored 8 points each in a 25-13 opening run before Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson took turns in the hosts’ third-quarter breakaway.
Up 45-35 at halftime, the Philippines pulled away for good and mounted a 67-43 cushion by outscoring Hong Kong 22-8 in the third period, in which Brownlee and Thompson scattered 8 points apiece.
It turned into a full-blown demolition in the final frame as the Philippines won by at least 30 points for the third time in this qualifiers.
“We just wanted to respect the opponents and respect the game of basketball. We just wanted to go out and play hard,” said Sotto.
Brownlee churned out 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, Thompson finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Carl Tamayo fired a game-high 16 points with 5 rebounds in just 17 minutes of play.
Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Dwight Ramos, who chipped in 11 points against New Zealand, did not see action this time due to a calf injury.
The comfortable lead allowed Philippines head coach Tim Cone to field his younger players, particularly UAAP stars Kevin Quiambao and Mason Amos, who did not receive playing time against the Tall Blacks.
Quiambao played 22 minutes and put up 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Amos tallied 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block in 10:30 minutes.
“They are the superstars of this team down the road and they’re still learning and feeling their way,” said Cone of Tamayo, Quiambao, and Amos.
Leung Shiu Wah and Oliver Xu netted 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Hong Kong, which stayed winless and dropped to 0-4.
The Scores
Philippines 93 – Tamayo 16, Fajardo 14, Brownlee 13, Sotto 12, Perez 10, Newsome 9, Thompson 8, Quiambao 8, Amos 3, Oftana 0, Aguilar 0.
Hong Kong 54 – S. Leung 11, Xu 10, Yang 9, Tsai 8, Reid 6, Yip 4, Pok 3, K. Leung 3, Yeung 0, Hon 0, Ng 0, Tang 0.
Quarters: 25-16, 45-35, 67-43, 93-54.
– Rappler.com