Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 26) — The Philippine men’s 5×5 basketball team’s quest for its first Asian Games medal in 25 years started on a good note after the squad annihilated Bahrain, 89-61, Tuesday in Hangzhou, China.
CJ Perez and Ange Kouame each tallied 15 points for Gilas Pilipinas in their opening Group C match.
After a tight opening quarter, the Philippines pulled away in the second period as it built an 18-point advantage going into the halftime break.
Justin Brownlee dropped 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Calvin Oftana was the other Gilas player who finished in double figures with 10 points.
The Philippines connected its shots better at 46 percent compared with Bahrain which only converted 30 percent.
Gilas will next battle Thailand on Sept. 28 then close out its preliminary round assignment against Jordan on Sept. 30.
