GILAS Pilipinas went on a huge fourth-quarter run sparked by Rayray Parks to get back at Senegal, 75-63, in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Sunday night in Guandong, China.
Blowing hot and cold for most of the buildup for the Fiba Basketball World Cup, Parks came alive with big baskets in the final quarter that enabled the Philippines to avenge a 72-64 loss to Senegal just two days earlier.
READ: Gilas starts cold, fades late in loss to Senegal
Parks had a three-pointer and two baskets when the Filipinos put together an 18-3 run in the first seven minutes of the final quarter that enabled them to erase a six-point deficit and grab a 65-56 lead.
Back-to-back three-pointers by AJ Edu and Kiefer Ravena put a fitting climax to the win that enabled Gilas to tie Senegal at 2-1 (win-loss) heading to its final game against a team from Iran on Monday.
Until Parks and the rest of the team came alive in the fourth, nothing seemed to be going right for the national team as turnovers and missed open shots allowed the West African team to lead by as much as 53-45 late in the third quarter.
CJ Perez finished with 14 points for Gilas including 10 in the first half when he carried the brunt for the national team, while the 6-foot-10 Edu continued his splendid showing in the meet with 13 points.
Dwight Ramos and June Mar Fajardo were also in double figures for Gilas with 12 and 11, respectively.
The scores
Philippines (75) - Perez 14, Edu 13, Ramos 12, Fajardo 11, Parks 8, Newsome 4, Aguilar 4, Abando 3, K. Ravena 3, Oftana 0, T. Ravena 0, Malonzo 0.
Senegal (63) - Boissy 16, Youssoupha 9, Brancou 8, Camara 6, Sambe 6, Diop 5, Sylla 5, Faye 3, Ousmane 3, Fall 2, Moustaph 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17; 36-39; 47-53; 75-63.
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