SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
Gilas Pilipinas Men Stage Thrilling Comeback Against Iran, Clinch Semifinal Spot
Photo credit: SBP
Gilas Pilipinas Men fought tooth and nail against a relentless Iranian squad, securing an 84-83 victory in the quarterfinals of the 19th Asian Games.
Despite facing a nightmarish defeat after Iran razed their 21-point lead with a barrage of three-pointers, the Filipino team showcased remarkable resilience, thanks to the heroic efforts of June Mar Fajardo and Justin Brownlee in the closing moments of the game on Tuesday, October 3.
Iran, led by standout players Matin Aghajanpour, Mohammandsina Vehedi, and Navid Razaeifar, mounted a furious comeback with a series of three-pointers, twice seizing the lead at 81-80 and 83-82. However, Gilas Pilipinas rose to the challenge, with Fajardo's putback and Brownlee's tough baseline jumper securing the lead at 84-83 with just 41 seconds remaining on the clock.
The tension reached its peak when Aghajanpour attempted an open three-point shot to snatch victory for Iran. The shot missed, allowing Gilas Pilipinas to hold on to their narrow lead. Coach Tim Cone, who was close to the action, watched as the shot veered off course, ensuring the Philippines' thrilling win.
Brownlee led the charge for Gilas Pilipinas with an impressive 36 points, although he was stifled in the fourth quarter by Iran's strategic defense. Fajardo, with 18 points and 8 rebounds, played a crucial role in maintaining the lead. Scottie Thompson contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds to the team's success.
Despite the nail-biting victory, Coach Tim Cone acknowledged the challenges of international play, emphasizing the rapid shifts in momentum that can occur.
Gilas Pilipinas now faces host country China in the semifinals, a rematch that promises to be a fierce battle.
A place in the gold medal game awaits the winner, while the loser will compete for the bronze medal, a feat that would match the Philippines' third-place finish in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
Despite facing a nightmarish defeat after Iran razed their 21-point lead with a barrage of three-pointers, the Filipino team showcased remarkable resilience, thanks to the heroic efforts of June Mar Fajardo and Justin Brownlee in the closing moments of the game on Tuesday, October 3.
Iran, led by standout players Matin Aghajanpour, Mohammandsina Vehedi, and Navid Razaeifar, mounted a furious comeback with a series of three-pointers, twice seizing the lead at 81-80 and 83-82. However, Gilas Pilipinas rose to the challenge, with Fajardo's putback and Brownlee's tough baseline jumper securing the lead at 84-83 with just 41 seconds remaining on the clock.
The tension reached its peak when Aghajanpour attempted an open three-point shot to snatch victory for Iran. The shot missed, allowing Gilas Pilipinas to hold on to their narrow lead. Coach Tim Cone, who was close to the action, watched as the shot veered off course, ensuring the Philippines' thrilling win.
Brownlee led the charge for Gilas Pilipinas with an impressive 36 points, although he was stifled in the fourth quarter by Iran's strategic defense. Fajardo, with 18 points and 8 rebounds, played a crucial role in maintaining the lead. Scottie Thompson contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds to the team's success.
Despite the nail-biting victory, Coach Tim Cone acknowledged the challenges of international play, emphasizing the rapid shifts in momentum that can occur.
Gilas Pilipinas now faces host country China in the semifinals, a rematch that promises to be a fierce battle.
A place in the gold medal game awaits the winner, while the loser will compete for the bronze medal, a feat that would match the Philippines' third-place finish in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
Oct 3, 2023
