Mon, Sep 28, 2015

Fiba Asia: Gilas Pilipinas takes down Iran

By: Musong R. Castillo, September 28th, 2015 01:26 PM. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippines guard Jayson Castro challenges the defense of Iran giant Hamed Haddadi during their game in the second round of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship on Monday in Changsha, China.

Philippines guard Jayson Castro challenges the defense of Iran giant Hamed Haddadi during their game in the second round of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship on Monday in Changsha, China.


CHANGSHA CITY, China – Up against a foe that has never been touched and never been pushed in the Fiba Asia Olympic Qualifier, Gilas Pilipinas sent shockwaves across the tournament by making defending champion Iran look so bad.

Andray Blatche took Hamed Haddadi to school in their very first meeting in an international setting, and that unraveled the Iranians in the second half as the Filipinos ran them to the ground on the way to an 87-73 victory on Monday at Changsha Social Work College Gym here.

More than the 18 points and seven rebounds he had, Blatche never gave Haddadi the chance to dominate as the Iranians fell apart after blowing a 10-point lead early in the third quarter to go down in flames for the first time in more than a week.