Gilas Pilipinas Finally Nails Win in 2014 FIBA World Cup

Manila (PNA) – Gilas Pilipinas finally snatched its first victory in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, pulling out a thrilling 81-79 overtime victory against Senegal at the close of the first round elimination of the prestigious basketball championship in Seville, Spain on Thursday.

The Philippines may have already bowed out of contention for the next round due to its 1-4 win-loss record but it was a sweet victory for the Filipinos who returned in the World Cup after 36 long years of waiting.

Junmar Fajardo stepped up for Gilas Pilipinas in extra five minutes after naturalized Andrei Blatche absorbed his fifth and last foul towards the end of the regulation period.

The Filipinos kept their composure when Senegal started hitting three pointers in the last two minutes of overtime, with Fajardo, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag scoring respective pressure-packed foul shots.

Fajardo came out with nearly double-double performance, scoring 15 points behind Alapag’s team-high 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Despite failure to advance in the second round, it was still a successful performance for the Philippines who dropped three close games against Croatia, Puerto Rico and even against 2004 Olympic gold medalist Argentina which demolished Senegal, 81-46, last Wednesday.

The Philippines first absorbed a heartbreaking 78-81 loss to Croatia before bowing to fifth seed Greece, 70-82.

The Filipinos also dropped a close game against Argentina, 81-85, and against Puerto Rico, Gilas Pilipinas led by as much as 12 points before folding towards the end game and absorbed, 73-77, decision that ended the Philippines’ bid for next round last Wednesday.

Senegal recovered from by as much as 14-point deficit against the Philippines to send the game into overtime at 69-all but outhustled by Gilas in extra five minutes and finished the elimination with 2-3 record. (PNA) FPV/JFM

Image Credit: www.theepochtimes.com