JAKARTA— Nakabawi ang Team Philippines sa Japan, 113- 80, para makasigurado sa ikaanim na puwesto sa men’s basketball competition ng 18th asian Games sa Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall.
Ang 33-puntopss na panalo ay mistulang pambawi ng Pinoys sa kabiguang natamo sa powerhouse China at South Korea at nalagpasan ang ikapitong puesto na pagtatapos sa 2014 Incheon Games.
Haharapin ng Nationals ang mananalo sa laro ng Syria at Indonesia sa classification sa Biyernes para makuha ang No.5 spot.
“We are assured of sixth place. But we still have to play one game against winner of Syria and Indonesia. We want to finish our campaign here (with a win), even if we don’t have a medal,” sambit ni coach Yeng Guiao.
Nanguna si NBA star Jordan Clarkson sa naiskor na 22 puntos, habang kumana si Fil-German Christian Standhardinger ng 27 puntos at 13 rebounds.
Iskor:
P h i l i p p i n e s ( 1 1 3 ) – Standhardinger 27, Clarkson 22, Lee 17, Pringle 9, Belga 7, Almazan 6, Taulava 6, Norwood 5, Ahanmisi 5, Tiu 5, Erram 4.
Japan (80) – Nakamura 16, Kumagae 15, Vendrame 11, Shaefer 11, Ota 10, Harimoto 10, Tsuji 5, Tamaki 2.
Quarters: 27-27; 57-47; 82-64; 113-80.
