The Smart Gilas Pilipinas was able to bounce back from earlier struggle against the young but talented Japanese Team as they secured their fourth straight win by defeating Japan with the final score at 88-84.
Smart Gilas veteran center Marcus Douthit dominated the paint and scored crucial free throws in the final seconds of the game as they were challenged by Japan with only 3 points lead, he added with 2 points to make it a five point deficit.
When the Japanese controlled the ball they were able to score a three-pointer but a foul sent Jeff Chan to the free throw line and secured a cushion for the Smart Gilas with four points advantage. The Japanese were desperate in trying to score from the outside but they failed to make it.
The Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now ranked at the number 1 spot tied with the depending champion Iran who was undefeated also with four straight wins.
The Philippine Basketball Team will face tomorrow the struggling Lebanon to maintain their winning streak in the competition before facing Iran the next day followed by the Chinese Taipei Team and US in the last day of the tournament.
Highlights video of the game:
Here’s the final videos of Smart Gilas vs. Japan:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTUmsu7tgpo
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuhk8lujC74
