The Gilas Pilipinas secured the top spot in Group E by defeating Hong Kong with the final score at 67-55 but the Filipinos wins came at the expense of a thrilling game because the Hong Kong squad played their most productive game in FIBA Asia 2013.
Watch the Highlights Video Hong Kong vs. Gilas Pilipinas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew8WKxzsOyQ#at=11
During the first two quarters the Philippines suffered their worst outside shooting in FIBA Asia missing some of the most important shots. The Gilas also shot with just 30% on the floor in the first half of the game.
The winless Hong Kong team scored the first seven points of the game, the Gilas trailed at the half 33-28 but Jeff Chan scored six points in an 8-1 run to give the Philippines its first taste of the lead. Hong Kong got their last taste of the lead, 39-38 with just 1:53 lead in the third quarter through the putback effort made by Duncan Reid.
LA Tenorio made an impressive back-to-back three-points play in an 11-4 run to bridge the third and fourth periods, giving Gilas a 49-43 advantage. When the Philippines was just up by just 4 points, Gabe Norwood hit a jumper and stole the ball and unleashed a three-point play. Jason Castrol also hit a fastbreak layup to give the Gilas its first double-digit lead at 65-54 with just 1:48 remaining.
The game ended with the final score at 67-55 and secured its first place in its group by having a better tiebreaker after finishing with the same record as Chinese Taipei and Qatar. Gilas Pilipinas will move into the knockout duel against Kazakhstan on Friday, after a one-day break in FIBA Asia 2013 Championship.
