TEAM Pilipinas outclassed Meralco, 100-82, on Friday morning in the national squad’s only tune-up game for the sixth window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Meralco gym.
The Nationals looked sharp in the second quarter when they started to pull away against the Bolts thanks to their defense that led to easy baskets.
The win comes a day before Gilas Pilipinas leave for Doha on Saturday morning where their preparations go into high gear in their match against Qatar on February 22, 12 midnight Manila time.
RR Pogoy led the Nationals with 21 points in the tune-up game.
National coach Yeng Guiao was happy with the performance of the team in their lone tune-up game for the critical sixth and final window of the World Cup.
“We’d like to thank Meralco for making themselves available for our only tune-up game,” said Guiao. “At least, even without Andray (Blatche), the guys are blending well. We played good defense and we are hoping we can still improve our defense.”
Pogoy scored all the points, two on threes, in an 8-0 run that put the Nationals ahead, 40-31, in the second quarter. Gilas increased their lead further after an 11-0 run for a 68-47 lead in the third period.
Marcio Lassiter had 14 points, while June Mar Fajardo had 13 points. Troy Rosario added 10 points for Team Pilipinas.
Baser Amer had 14 points, while Reynel Hugnatan had 13 points for Meralco.
The scores:
PHILIPPINES 100 – Pogoy 21, Lassiter 14, Fajardo 13, Rosario 10, Barroca 9, Aguilar 6, Ravena 5, Thompson 5, Norwood 4, Castro 4, Almazan 4, Erram 2.
MERALCO 82 – Amer 14, Hugnatan 13, Salva 12, De Ocampo 11, Hodge 9, Jackson 4, Pinto 4, Canaleta 4, Caram 2, Jamito 2, Quinto 0, Dillinger 0, Tolomia 0.
Quarters: 23-21; 55-45; 83-59; 100-82.
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