Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Gilas Pilipinas completed a clean sweep of the MVP Cup capped by a resounding 90-77 win over Chinese Taipei on Sunday (September 13).
Andray Blatche led the Philippines with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Asi Taulava and Terrence Romeo chipped in with 13 and 12 markers, respectively.
The Filipinos came running out of the gates as they set the tone for the entire game with a strong first quarter, outscoring Chinese Taipei 27-15.
After building a 20-point lead with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, it looked as if the Philippines was set to cruise to an easy win. But three consecutive Cheng Liu long ranged bombs that cut the lead to just 75-83 with 3:33 left threatened to turn the game on its head.
Unfortunately for the visitors, it wasn’t meant to be as buckets from Ranidel de Ocampo, Dondon Hontiveros, Calvin Abueva, and Sonny Thoss put the game on ice for the Philippines.
With the MVP Cup wrapped up, Gilas coach Tab Baldwin sets his sights on the upcoming FIBA Asia tournament and despite the convincing win, he refuses to rest on his laurels.
“I’m not comfortable and I don’t want to be comfortable,” he said.
Gilas Pilipinas opens its FIBA Asia campaign against Palestine on September 23 at the Gymnasium of Changsha Social Work College in China.
