Gilas 3×3 downs Taipei, improves to 2-0 in Asiad
Gilas Pilipinas made it two in a row in the 19th Asian Games men’s 3×3 tournament after beating Chinese Taipei in Pool A on Tuesday, 17-12 at the Deqing Geographic Information Park in Hangzhou, China.
The quartet of Bismark Lina, John Rey Pasaol, Bryan Sajonia, and Justine Sanchez raced to a 9-5 start in the 10-minute match, before Taipei pulled within one, 9-8.
Pasaol then made back-to-back baskets while Sajonia added a free throw with a minute and 40 seconds left to make it 12-8.
The opponents threatened with Yu Xiang Ping’s long two closing the gap to just 13-11 with 58 seconds to go, but Sajonia and Lina sealed the game from the foul line.
Sajonia led the way with six points while Pasaol and Sanchez each tallied four markers.
The Philippines edged Jordan, 13-8 yesterday, with Sajonia’s six points likewise leading the charge.
The group will play two more preliminary round games against Hong Kong on Wednesday and versus Mongolia on Thursday.
The top squad in each of the four groups will advance outright to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-ranked teams will all play an extra knockout game for the remaining four berths.
It is the first time the country has sent delegates to 3×3 in the Asiad. The sport debuted in the Olympic stage last 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
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