PH battles Kazakhstan in crucial game tonight
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2019 16:33:57 +0000
Team Pilipinas must beat Kazakhstan tonight to move closer to its goal of qualifying for the FIBA World Cup in China on August 31 to September 15.
The crucial game in the sixth and last day of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers at the Saryarka Sports Complex in Astana begins at 10:30 p.m. (Manila time).
The Philippines routed host Qatar, 84-46, on Friday in Doha.
Only the top three teams in Group F and E plus one best fourth placer will qualify for the World Cup.
The Philippines, with a 6-5 win-loss record, must defeat Kazakhstan first and hope that Lebanon and Jordan lose to their respective foes in Group F also on February 24 to improve their placing.
Host Lebanon (6-5) will face South Korea (9-2) while host Jordan (6-5) will take on New Zealand (10-1) in Group E; their final games in the qualifiers.
Naturalized player Andray Blatche led Team PH against the Qataris with 17 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
The Filipinos shot 15-of-30 from beyond the arc with Paul Lee and Marcio Lassiter combining for seven triples. Lassiter finished with 14 points, Lee contributed 13 points while JP Erram registered four blocks.
Blatche will draw support from Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario and Mark Barroca.
“Excited to get out there and build off our performance last night,” said Norwood through a text message sent to The Manila Times. “Think we understand the scenario and know the importance of this game.”
Team Pilipinas’ final lineup in the game against Kazakhstan (4-7) wasn’t announced yet at press time.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, is coming off a 60-81 beating from Group F’s leading team Australia (10-1) in Astana on Thursday.
Naturalized playmaker Anthony Clemmons who scored 31 points against Australia is expected to deliver big when Kazakhstan faces the Philippines.
The post PH battles Kazakhstan in crucial game tonight appeared first on The Manila Times Online.