MANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas mauled Chinese Taipei, 93-71, in a crucial FIBA World Cup Qualifiers showdown in Taipei on Friday night.
Gilas shrugged off a slow start and bludgeoned a heavily retooled Taiwanese side to give the Philippine squad a huge morale booster ahead of a big-time home game against Australia in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday night.
Chinese Taipei took control of the first quarter, taking a 12-4 lead midway through the quarter.
However, Gilas took advantage of Chinese Taipei's early turnover woes and inched closer at the end of the period, and the Filipino team eventually took the lead for good in the second quarter behind a 28-point output.
Gilas tried to pull away in the third quarter, opening a 64-50 cushion only for Chinese Taipei to close out the period on a 10-4 run and cut the lead down to eight, 68-60, at the end of the quarter.
Gilas finally broke loose in the fourth, outscoring Chinese Taipei, 25-11, to complete the rout.
Junemar Fajardo had an impressive output of 22 points, four rebounds, and one assist, while Jayson Castro added 15 points, four assists, and one steal.
Terrence Romeo announced his return to the national team, making 14 points, two rebounds, six assists, and one steal, even as Andray Blatche made a double-double of 13 markers and 12 boards with five dimes, two blocks, and three steals.
Quincy Davis led Chinese Taipei, which now needs to beat Japan to stay alive in the qualifiers, with 17 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and one steal. (PNA)
