After absorbing its most embarrasing defeat to date, the Philippine national basketball team showed its true form with a 101-50 shellacking of Hong Kong Thursday in the first round of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsa.

With naturalized center Andray Blatche sitting down almost the entire second half, Gilas torched Hong Kong with torrid shooting and lock down defense.

Opening the game at 12-0, the Philippines never looked back as they clogged Hong Kong’s shaded lane, limiting them to contested long shots.

After back to back layups by Blatche at the start of the third quarter, Gilas’ lead swelled to more than 40 as the homegrown players took charge therafter.

Ranidel de Ocampo’s tomahawk slam and Matthew Ganuelas’ in-your-face block against on a Hong Kong player were all but exclamation points, showing that the Philippines are not out despite losing against an unheralded Palestinian team yesterday.

Former FIBA Asia mythical five member Jayson Castro William led the way for Gilas with 21 points on top of a splendid five-for-six shooting from the three points line. Blatche added 17 points and veteran Dondon Hontiveros finally showed up with 14 points.

Chan Siu Wing led the way for the 1-1 Hong Kong with 13 points while naturalized center Duncan Reid was only limited to 11 points.

File photo by Martin San Diego