The Philippine national men’s basketball team overcame a gutsy stand by Japan to pull away with its third straight win, 100-85, in the 2017 William Jones Cup on Tuesday at Taipei Peace International Basketball Hall.
Christian Standhardinger piled up 22 points and 15 rebounds to spearhead Gilas Pilipinas (3-1) which unleashed a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to stave off the winless Japanese (0-4) who put up a tough fight against the Philippines.
Japan fought tooth and nail against Gilas Pilipinas, taking advantage of the Philippines’ lethargic performance. The Japanese made eight triples in the first half alone, with Shuto Ando and Yusei Sugiura combining for seven of them.
Japan led at the half, 42-41, and even stretched it to six as it threatened to make Gilas Pilipinas its first victim in the tournament.
But Gilas Pilipinas handcuffed its opponents, with RR Pogoy doing a stellar defensive job on Ando and the squad switching on the sweet-shooting Sugiura.
Down 73-72 in the fourth frame, Gilas Pilipinas then unleashed a 12-0 run ignited by five straight points from Matthew Wright, who finished the game with 15 points, in a run that thumped the Japanese and put the Philippines ahead for good.
Mike Myers grabbed 17 points and 17 boards as Kiefer Ravena and Jio Jalalon chipped in 11 points apiece.
Gilas Pilipinas will go for its fourth consecutive win against South Korea (3-0) which has yet to drop a game in the tournament.