The Philippine national men’s basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas successfully enters the semi-finals for the second straight time of the FIBA Asia after they demolished Lebanon during their quarterfinals match up yesterday night. The victory over Lebanon will put the Philippines in a semi-final clash with their previous victim, the Japanese squad who defeated the heavily favored Qatar. The Gilas vs. Japan match will be held at around 9:30 PM tonight.
Here’s our Match Preview of the Gilas vs. Japan Semi-Finals:
The Philippines now earned a spot in the 2016 Olympic Qualifying rounds but the Filipinos are now determined to win an outright spot to Rio by winning in their next two games. The Japanese are also determined to make an upset against the Philippines in the semis.
During the Japan vs. Qatar games, the Japanese use its speed and hot shooting from downtown to defeat the Qataris with the final score of 81-67. Takatoshi Furukawa finished with 22 points against Qatar including he impressive three triples during the first quarter alone.
Although the Japanese was earlier defeated by Japan with the final score of 73-66 during their first encounter in FIBA Asia last Sunday in the second round of the region’s most popular basketball competition. The Japanese was also defeated by the Filipinos during the Jones Cup 2015 wherein the Philippines wins the silver medal.
The Japanese squad led by one-time NBA player, Yuta Tabuse proved that zone defense worked for them against the Qataris during their Quarterfinals match forcing Team Qatar in missing shots and losing important ball possessions.
The Philippines on the other hand during their quarterfinals match against Lebanon, they proved once and for all that the Filipinos are worthy to be included in the Quarterfinals as they played emotional basketball game after hearing the Lebanese coach that they will play the Philippines in an “easy easy” match.
Jayson Castro and Andray Blatche showed the way as Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the semifinals of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship after outlasting a pesky Lebanon squad, 82-70. The leading MVP race contender Jayson Castro scored with 25 points while naturalized center Andray Blatche added with 24 points and 17 rebounds for a double-double performance.
