Pinoy cagers hold off Chinese Taipei in Fiba Asia Cup quarterfinal round

The Smart-Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the semifinal round but not before surviving a tough fourth period rally by Chinese Taipei, 75-68, in the quarterfinals of the Fiba Asia Cup yesterday in Tokyo, Japan.

The Gilas took full advantage of their opponents’ scoring drought and took a 71-57 lead after a three pointer by Gary David with 3:51 left in the game.

However, Chinese Taipei unleashed a 9-0 run that sliced the lead to within five, 66-71, after a basket by Shih-Chieh Chien with 1:52 remaining.

The Nationals weren’t fazed and showed their resolve by digging deep on defense and forced Taipei into missing an open trey and two turnovers during the endgame.

LA Tenorio and Jeff Chan sealed the win and the country’s entry to the Final Four with two freethrows and a basket, respectively.

Waiting for them in the semis today is a tough rival in Iran, which blasted Uzbekistan, 79-37, in their own quarterfinal encounter.

Naturalized player Marcus Douthit was a monster down low with 19 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks while David added 14 markers, with four three-pointers to his name. Ranidel de Ocampo chipped in 10 points and eight boards.