Lebanon turned on the jets in the fourth quarter to hand Gilas Pilipinas a 75-54 shellacking in front of another packed pro-Philippines crowd at the Qatar University Sports and Events Complex.
Gilas were still within 51-50 as AJ Edu opened the payoff period with follow-up basket underneath. But a 14-0 blast anchored by Jad Khalil, Gerard Hadidian, and Karim Zeinoun proved to be the difference as Gilas finished the fourth with six measly points to Lebanon’s 24.
Khalil and Hadidian led the Cedars with 18 apiece, while Zeinoun and James Majok combined for 25 points and 16 rebounds.
Lebanon’s fiery fourth quarter put to naught big games from Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, and Calvin Oftana. Brownlee finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Oftana fired 10 anchored on two triples. Thompson flashed his usual all-around brilliance, putting up 7 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in three quarters. He didn’t play in the fourth.
Turnovers, Ghastly Shooting Hound Gilas Pilipinas
Two familiar problems once again hounded Gilas Pilipinas in their blowout loss to the Cedars: terrible shooting and turnovers. Overall, the Nationals went just 21-for-69 from the field for a ghastly 30% as compared to 38% from Lebanon (27-for-67). Gilas also made only four triples—just one more than Khalil’s three treys for the Cedars.
Compounding matters were Gilas Pilipinas’ 19 turnovers that Lebanon converted to 26 points, mostly on fastbreak baskets. Twice—once in the third and another time in the fourth—the nationals coughed the ball up three consecutive times, with a couple being the unforced variety. In contrast, the Cedars only had 14 turnovers.
What’s Next for Gilas Pilipinas?
Gilas Pilipinas will next play Egypt on Monday morning, February 17, to round out their participation in the 2nd Doha International Cup. They will then fly back to the Philippines later on Monday, and then catch a flight to Taiwan on Tuesday, February 18. They will then conclude the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers with games against Chinese Taipei (February 20) and New Zealand (February 23).
The scores:
Lebanon (75) – Hadidian 18, Khalil 18, Zeinoun 13, Majok 12, Mezher 8, Rtail 4, Makhlouf 2, Khoueiry 0, Samaha 0, Moussa 0.
Philippines (54) – Brownlee 21, Oftana 10, Thompson 7, Edu 6, Ramos 5, Fajardo 2, Newsome 1, Quiambao 1, Perez 1, Tamayo 0, Amos 0, Malonzo 0
