MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 men’s team eked out a close 18-14 victory over India Tuesday to march on to the semifinals of the 6th Asian Beach Games at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium in Sanya, China.
After squandering an 11-8 lead, the Gilas men needed a 5-0 push in the last minute of the match to seal the victory and keep their medal chances alive.
Jeff Manday zoomed inside for the game-tying basket, 14-all, with 22 seconds left before crucial foul calls on Aldous Torculas and Manday allowed the Philippines to put the icing on the cake.
Torculas’ key free throws with 9.8 ticks left gave Gilas breathing room, 16-14, before Manday’s freebies sealed the deal.
Team Philippines’ campaign in this resort city is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee helmed by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and the Philippine Sports Commission under chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.
After the match, Manday credited his team’s character for being able to eke out the victory.
“Although nga underdog kami, lumaban kami hanggang dulo. Yung nga, thankful ako sa mga teammates ko. Although nga mga young guys… Nagtatrabaho para sa bayan.” Manday said.
The Philippines set up a semis duel with Thailand Wednesday at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 women team downed Kazakhstan, 16-11, in their quarterfinals match to advance to the semifinals.
Speed was the advantage of the Filipinas as they outmaneuvered a towering Kazakhstan squad at relied largely on its outside shooting.
After a two-pointer kept things interesting midway through the match, 11-12, the Gilas women drove to the basket quickly and often to get their offense going.
Tantoy Ferrer scored a crucial point with less than two minutes left to give the Philippines a three-point cushion, 14-11.
Mikka Cacho then capped it off with back-to-back points to put the nail in the coffin.
“Iyon nga, ang sa scouting report namin, parang more on shooting outside (sila), mas malalaki sila sa amin,” Ferrer said. “So, alam naman namin na kahit malilit kami, mabilis kami.
“So, doon lang namin aming dinadaan sa mga ball screen, mga atake, kasi alam namin mabagal sila.” TMT
