The Gilas Pilipinas defeated Kazakhstan in an impressive p(–foul word(s) removed–)ion dominating its opponent in the entire game with the final score 88-58 and now secured a semi-finals ticket and will face South Korea in the Semi-finals of FIBA Asia 2013.
The Philippine national basketball team fired up with a 12-3 advantage at the start of the game. Gary David exploded off the bench for three quick three-pointers and opened the Gilas lead with a 32-13 spread right in the opening period.
Although the Kazakhstan team continued to threaten the Gilas Pilipinas and came with just nine points, 56-47, at around 3:58 remaining in the third period. A three pointer made by Fonacier sparked the Gilas 11-2 blast that broke the Kazakhstan’s offense. Gilas headed into the fourth quarter ahead with score at 67-49.
The Gilas Pilipinas took their biggest lead at 31 points after the Kazakhs started to lose poise, with Dimitvy Klimov, committing consecutive unsportsmanlike fouls. After the game Gary David scored with 22 points, making four out of six three-point attempts. Japeth added with 11 points and 9 rebounds for the Philippines.
Kazakhstan’s naturalized player Jerry Johnson and veteran Kazakhs national team member Anton Ponomarev were held to just eight points apiece after the Gilas players made an impressive performance in the defensive end of the Philippine national basketball team.
