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| JB Cagurungan's hot shooting did not go to waste. FIBA |
MANILA—Gilas Pilipinas averted a major collapse as Ethan Aguas shot the winning basket in an 89-88 escape against Chinese Taipei at the start of its FIBA U18 Asia Cup campaign on Thursday at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.
Aguas scored a tough short jumper with 2.6 seconds left off a great find from Patrick Pasinos as Gilas retook the lead after blowing a 27-point lead and conceding a go-ahead basket by Carter Coleman right before Aguas' heroics.
Liu Ting-Kuan found some space to go for a two-dribble pull-up, but his midrange jumper only hit the back iron as time expired.
JB Cagurungan led Gilas with 21 points on 7 of 10 shooting from deep and five rebounds, while Aguas added 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Gilas will next play Australia, 102-32 winner against Thailand earlier Thursday.
Liu had 23 points, six rebounds, and one steal, while Coleman added 22 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
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