Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    PH team overcomes poor shooting, survives scare from Qatar

    Philippines survives scare from Qatar in World Cup home qualifier
    Sep 17, 2018
    PHOTO: jerome ascaƱo

    TEAM Philippines shook off its lackluster first half and got its act together just in time to hammer Qatar, 92-81, in the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers on Monday in their closed-door game at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

    Scottie Thompson pumped life into the home team by setting the tone for a killer third-quarter assault that saw the nationals battle back from a 17-point deficit by outscoring the Qataris, 28-12, in that stretch.

    Japeth Aguilar scored six of his 16 points in the third frame, including the four points that swung the lead in the Philippines' favor, 59-58 at the 3:19 mark. He also grabbed nine rebounds in a memorable reunion with national coach Yeng Guiao.

    Alex Cabagnot added 16 points, four boards, and three dimes; Stanley Pringle pitched in with 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists in his Fiba debut, and Beau Belga dropped 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      That second-half awakening saved the day for Philippines, which went 1-of-15 from downtown in the first half against Qatar's hot 7-of-13 clip from beyond the arc and consequently fell behind, 37-20.

      Though the Filipinos only managed to drain two more triples in the second half, they did outwork the Qataris off the boards, 54-40, and held the opposition to just 29 points after the break.

      Team Pilipinas improved to a 5-3 record in Group F, still in third place and a win ahead of fourth-seed Japan (4-4), which made a big move by pulling the rug from under Iran earlier in the day.

      Qatar, on the other hand, remained in the cellar at 2-6.

      The Philippines returns to action on November 30 when it hosts Kazakhstan and again on December 3 against Iran, both at the Mall of Asia Arena.

      Mohammed Yousuf Mohammed had 26 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while Tanguy Ngombo and Nasser Al-Rayes both had 17 for the Qataris, which went cold from deep (0-for-9) in the second half.

      ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

      The scores:

      PHILIPPINES 92 - Aguilar 16, Cabagnot 16, Pringle 13, Belga 11, Lee 8, Wright 6, Lassiter 5, Sangalang 5, Erram 4, Thompson 3, Taulava 3, Norwood 2.

      QATAR 81 - Mohammed MY 26, Al-Rayes 17, Ngombo 17, Khalid 10, Mohammed MH 4, Abdelbaset 3, Gueye 3, Abdelhaleem 1, Avdic 0, Lashin 0.

      Quarterscores: 15-26, 39-52, 67-64, 92-81.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
      PHOTO: jerome ascaƱo
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result