By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Gilas Pilipinas overcame a jittery start before cruising to a 76-63 victory over Saudi Arabia in the fifth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers yesterday (Philippine time) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
From a 20-all score late in the second quarter, the Philippines got consecutive hits from Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and Roger Pogoy for a 28-25 lead before capping the half with a three-pointer from Ramos for a 31-25 edge.
Gilas Pilipinas opened the third quarter with a basket from Japeth Aguilar, a triple from Pogoy, an inside hit from Sotto and another two-pointer from Pogoy to stretch the lead to 40-27.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Pogoy gave the Philippines its biggest lead at 50-34 but Saudi Arabia responded with consecutive baskets to trim it to 45-55 heading into the fourth quarter.
Jaymar Perez drilled a triple and a layup to start the fourth quarter as Gilas Pilipinas increased its lead to 60-48 but Saudi Arabia responded anew as they threatened to within 53-61.
Gilas pulled away at 69-55 via baskets from Thompson, Sotto, Perez, and Parks but Saudi managed to cut it anew to 61-69 via three-point hits, but free throws by Thompson and Sotto and an inside attack by Ramos secured the win for the Philippines.
Pogoy and Ramos top-scored for Gilas Pilipinas with 13 points apiece, Sotto and Perez chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, while Thompson chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.
This was the Philippines’ second victory over Saudi Arabia in the qualifier after an 84-46 rout in the country last August 30 behind Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson. Gilas also swept their fifth window assignment to improve to a 5-3 record.
Gilas Pilipinas jumped to a quick 9-4 score following a dunk by Sotto and inside incursions from Ramos and Thompson, but outside hits by Saudi allowed them to take a 16-12 edge before Parks hoisted a triple and Jamie Malonzo got a split free throw for a 16-all score.
Saudi Arabia quickly regained an 18-16 lead and later a 20-18 edge to start the second quarter, but Gilas Pilipinas banked on two inside shots by Angelo Kouame to tie the count at 20-all.
Mathna Almarwani led the way with 19 points, including five three-point conversions, while Khalid Abdel Gabar contributed 16 markers for Saudi Arabia. Hazim Bader Aljohar, who had 16 points against India last Friday, November 11, was held to just five points.
PHILIPPINES 76 — Pogoy 13, Ramos 13, Sotto 11, Perez 10, Thompson 9, Parks 8, Aguilar 6, Kouame 5, Malonzo 1, Oftana 0, Erram 0, Quiambao 0.
SAUDI ARABIA 63 — Ma. Almarwani 19, Gabar 16, Mo. Almarwani 8, Kadi 6, Aljohar 5, Ashoor 4, Mohammed 2, Shubayli 2, Belal 1, Saleh 0, Albargawi 0, Almuwallad 0.
Quarterscores: 16-16, 31-25, 55-45, 76-63./ASC, WDJ