PHL beats Qatar in FIBA Asia

THE Philippines successfully bounced back at home with a 92-81 win over Qatar in the second round of the 2019 FIBA Asia World Cup Qualifiers last Monday night in a closed-door game at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Qataris were off to a hot start, taking a 26-16 first quarter lead. Qatar maintained the lead up until halftime, 52-39, before the Filipinos came alive in the second half.

The Philippines, which opted for Stanley Pringle instead of Christian Standhardinger as the naturalized player, was scorching hot in the third quarter and outscored Qatar, 28-12, to take a 67-64 lead going into the final quarter.

The Philippines never looked back and cruised its way to a win, ending a two-game losing streak.

Without the country’s biggest stars like Junemar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo and Andray Blatche; Japeth Aguilar and Alex Cabagnot stepped up to lead the Filipinos. Aguilar had 16 points, nine rebounds and a block; while Cabagnot also dropped 16 points along with four boards, three assists and two steals. Pringle had 13 markers, six rebounds and three assists; while Beau Belga had 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal and three blocks.

Mohammed Yousuf led Qatar with 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Philippines stayed at third place with 13 points from five wins and three defeats, while Qatar stayed at the bottom of Group F with 10 points from two victories and six losses.

The Philippines’s next assignment is against Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 at home.

The Philippines played Qatar in a closed-door game as part of the sanctions slapped by FIBA following a brawl with Australia last July 2 at the Philippine Arena. The Philippines lost to Australia, 89-53, in that game. (EKA)

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