Kings of Asian basketball once more!
Make way for the kings!
Gilas Pilipinas has reclaimed the Asian Games gold medal for the Philippines, ending a six-decade drought after outlasting Jordan, 70-60, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Gilas came out strong in the first quarter as they built an 11-point lead. However, Jordan would come back roaring to the score at the half, 31-all.
Come the second half, Gilas managed to build another lead and this time, they made sure that there would be no comebacks this time around.
Despite having formed the lineup with just 12 left before the Asian Games, the Tim Cone-led squad managed to overcome all the adversities that came their way to bring home the gold.
Justin Brownlee led the way once more for Gilas with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Ange Kouame and Chris Newsome added 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tried his best for Jordan, doing it all with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists.
Gilas also exacted revenge on Jordan falling in the preliminaries, 87-62, which sent them off down a difficult path against Iran in the quarters and China in the semifinals.
This will be the Philippines’ fourth gold medal in the Asian Games.
(CF)