Gilas erupts in 4th period to rout Ivory Coast

June Mar Fajardo

Gilas Pilipinas handily won its closed-door tuneup against Ivory Coast, 85-62, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City Friday night. The Philippines was holding on to a slim seven-point lead at the end of the third quarter, 60-53. But Gilas found another gear in the final quarter as they outscored their foes 25-9 in the period. Early on in the final canto, Ivory Coast's Charles Abouo (196-G/F-1989, college: BYU) sank a layup to cut the lead to five, 55-60. Gilas Pilipinas then clamped down on Ivory Coast, allowing their foes to score just seven points the rest of the game as Rhenz Abando, Scottie Thompson and Dwight Ramos (193-G-1998, college: CPP) led the blitzkrieg. Naturalized guard Jordan Clarkson (196-G-1992, college: Missouri) and multiple-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo (210-C-1989) led the way for the Nationals, scoring 13 points apiece. Thompson, who just joined Gilas in training last week after coming from a hand injury, had the highest +- in the game with +19, scoring 11 points, hauling down four rebounds and dishing out five assists. Big man Kai Sotto (218-C-2002) finished with 10 points, four rebounds and a block. Ivory Coast's Maxence Dadiet (192-PG-1999) and Bazoumana Kone (194-G-1993, college: Bremerhaven, agency: SLN) had 12 points apiece. The Philippines' next tune-up game will be against Montenegro on August 20, while they will face Mexico on August 21.
Courtesy of: philstar.com

Tags : JUNE MAR FAJARDO, SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, FILIPINO BASKETBALL