Mac Belo drops 30 points; Gilas gets their first win in the FIBA Asia Challenge

Mac Belo rescued the Philippine national men’s basketball team from a major collapse, exploding for 30 points and 11 rebounds to burn Kazakhstan, 98-84, and hand Gilas Pilipinas its first win in the FIBA Asia Challenge Tuesday in Tehran, Iran.

Belo waxed hot late in the game, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter to save Gilas Pilipinas from losing a 17-point advantage that Kazakhstan almost overcame.

With the win, the Filipinos kept alive their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.

After trailing by 17 points, Kazakhstan came within four points, 70-66, heading into the fourth quarter. But Belo went unstoppable in that period, starting off his outburst with five straight points that pushed Gilas Pilipinas’ lead, 77-68.

Belo continued his offensive show, sinking one basket after another while also playing superb defense on the other end. His and-one with 3:14 left gave Gilas Pilipinas a commanding 88-76 lead.

Kevin Ferrer punctuated the win with a triple for a 93-77 advantage with just 2:16 left.

The Filipinos stunned the Kazakhs right from the get going, forcing turnovers by applying pressure defense and converting on fastbreak chances by speeding up the game.

Gilas Pilipinas will next face Jordan on Wednesday with the Filipinos’ tournament lives at stake. -interaksyon.com

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