Gilas Ends FIBA World Cup Campaign with Win Versus Senegal

Jimmy Alapag celebrates with Japeth Aguilar and Gabe Norwood after Gilas
Pilipinas notched a win in the FIBA World Cup. FIBA.com
Gilas Pilipinas needed overtime before ending its stint in the FIBA World Cup with an 81-79 win against playoff-bound Senegal in Seville, Spain.

Gilas nearly squandered a 15-point lead built in the third quarter and had to play the rest of the game without Andray Blatche, who fouled out with 1:55 left in the overtime period.

Junemar Fajardo, however, took over in the remainder of the match as he showed toughness against the Senegalese big men.

Fajardo scored 15 points including clutch baskets that helped give Gilas its only win of the tournament after four straight defeats.

Fajardo scored a layup after Xane Dalmieda made two free throws to tie the game at 71-all.

Fajardo then made two free throws after a Godgui Dieng foul to increase the Filipinos' lead after Ranidel De Ocampo drained two of his own that gave Gilas the lead in the earlier play.

Dieng missed a triple on the other end as Jimmy Alapag grabbed the loose ball and made two more charities to put Gilas up by six, 77-71.

Maurice Ndour still kept Senegal in the game with a three-pointer to cut the lead to three, 77-74.

Alapag split his charities in the next play, but Ndour missed another three-pointer on the other end and Gabe Norwood grabbed the board. Norwood also made one of two free throws.

Hamady Ndiaye still scored on a slam to cut the Gilas lead to three anew, but Alapag sealed the win with two more free throws on the other end. Dalmieda fired a triple for the final tally.

Fajardo added nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals; and he held his ground against NBA player Dieng, who only scored 13 markers.

Alapag, playing his final international game for the Philippines, led the Filipinos with 18 points, four rebounds, four steals, and a steal. Blatche also scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Mouhammad Faye had a game-high 20 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block to lead Senegal.

Box Scores:

Philippines 81-Blatche 18, Alapag 18, Fajardo 15, Norwood 7, Dalistan 6, Aguilar 6, Tenorio 5, Chan 4, De Ocampo 2, Pingris 0, David 0

Senegal 79-Faye 20, Dieng 13, Mal. Ndoye 13, Ndour 13, Dalmieda 9, Ndiaye 5, Badji 2, Diop 2, Thomas 2, Mam. Ndoye 0

Quarterscores: 13-19, 37-24, 49-44, 64-64, 81-79  
comments powered by Disqus