Gilas Pilipinas and the Filipinos’ broken basketball hearts were mended on Thursday as the national team capped of its dream FIBA World Cup journey with an emphatic overtime victory over Senegal
Without NBA reinforcement Andray Blatche in the last two minutes of the game, the Philippines relied on tenacious rebounding and stability on the free throw to clinch their first and only win in the FIBA World Cup as they defeated Senegal, 81-79 in overtime, Thursday, at Seville, Spain.
The historic win, Gilas’ first in the World Cup in 40 years, came as a consolation prize to a heartbreaking stint as they exit with a 1-4 card.
Nonetheless, Fiba Asia’s runners-up made a most significant impact in the tournament by pushing perennial contenders Croatia, Greece, Argentina, and Puerto Rico to the limit and losing by an average of six points, which defied popular expectations from a team that has an average height of 6’3″.
Four straight made free throws by Ranidel de Ocampo and June Mar Fajardo down the last minute of overtime were the instrumental points for Gilas’ win as they broke a 71-71 tie to a 75-71 cushion.
The free throws of the two Filipino big men came off loose ball fouls from Mouhammad Faye (on de Ocampo) and NBA sophomore Giorgui Dieng (on Fajardo) on rebound plays in Senegal’s court.
Alapag meanwhile caught a ticky-tack foul from Dieng and swished a pair of freebies to extend the lead at 77-71 with 45 seconds left.
Fajardo, playing 32 minutes this time, led the Philippines with 15 points and nine rebounds while Alapag led in scoring with 18 points, with 9-for-11 from the free throw stripe.
The game, however, was reminiscent of their losses to Argentina and Puerto Rico as Gilas showed their shooting prowess in the second quarter and dominated early, outscoring Senegal 24-5 to end the first half with a 37-24 lead.
A 12-0 run in the quarter for a 30-22 bubble came off four unanswered triples from Blatche, Paul Lee (with two triples), and Alapag.
The African team answered back in the third quarter, tacking 20 points to the Philippines’ 12 by playing a choking 2-2-1 full court press.
The fourth quarter was a close affair as Senegal capitalized on a 7-0 run to cut down the Philippines’ lead to a solitary point, 57-58 with over four minutes to go. Junemar Fajardo and Andray Blatche combined to put Gilas ahead by three points at the 1:25 mark. However, Senegal’s Mamadou Ndoye put up a dagger three at 0:33 to push the game to overtime.
The two teams went neck-and-neck at extra time, with the Philippines having to do without Blatche who fouled out with under two minutes to go.
Finally, Ranidel de Ocampo, Junemar Fajardo, and Jimmy Alapag sealed the country’s first win in 40 years with successive free throws.
Despite the loss, Senegal will barge through the Round-of-16 with wins over Puerto Rico and Croatia.
Dieng led the Senegalese charge with 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three blocks. Faye led in scoring with 20 points while Xane D’Almeida dished out 14 assists on top of nine points.
Box score:
Philippines 81 – Blatche 18, Alapag 18, Fajardo 15, Norwood 7, Lee (Dalistan) 6, Aguilar 6, Tenorio 5, Chan 4, Pingris 0, David 0
Senegal 79 – Faye 20, Dieng 13, Mal. N’doye 13, N’dour 13, D’almeida 9, N’diaye 5, Thomas 2, Diop 2, Badji 2, Mam. N’doye 0
Quarter scores: 13-19, 37-24, 49-44, 64-64, 81-79 (OT)
with reports from Merck Maguddayao
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