Iran made good on its word to avenge its loss to the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas in the 34th Jones Cup as it buried the Nationals, 77-60, to move on to the finals of the Fiba Asia Cup yesterday in Tokyo, Japan.
The two-time Asian champions exposed the Gilas and showed how far they are from being acknowledged as one of Asia’s elite squads, as they took full control of the game in the second half with three-pointers against the porous defense of the country’s national team.
The semifinal victory pushed Iran to the finals in this tournament, which gives the top three finishers outright slots to the Asian Championships in Lebanon next year.
JAPAN ADVANCES
Iran will face hosts Japan, which defeated GCC champions Qatar Qatar, 73-66, in the other semifinal pairing.
The Gilas were able to keep in step with Iran in the first half which ended with a 30-all deadlock.
But Iran started the second half strong and scored the first eight points. Things turned from bad to worse later on as the Gilas big men, especially main man Marcus Douthit, got stuck on the bench because of foul trouble.
LA Tenorio and Jared Dillinger scored 13 points each to lead the Gilas. The missing link was Douthit, who was held down to just eight markers.
BOX SCORES
Iran (77) – Afagh 14, Jamshidi 13, Kardoust 13, Bahrami 12, Sahakian 12, Davoudichegani 6, Foroutan 1, Aslani 0, Mashayekhi 0, Yahkchali 0, Sedihgi 0.
Philippines (60) – Tenorio 13, Dillinger 13, Douthit 8, Norwood 7, Chan 5, Fonacier 5, De Ocampo 4, Villanueva 3, David 2, Thoss 0, Ganuelas 0, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17; 30-30; 53-47; 77-60.