Pilipinas U21 blows out Lubnan with a 59 point victory (38998)Siegfred Estillore
(38155755) leads the team with 17 points in 10 shots to overcome 26 points from Lubnan SF Abdullah Hamdan Abdullat. Utek Gutierrez
(38155386) stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals to join 5 other players in double figures.
Pilipinas U21 burst right out of the gates with a 6-0 run, but Lubnan fought hard in the rebounding department, generating multiple chances per possession. However, they were unable to convert as Pilipinas extended the lead to 33-10. Carl Elbert Durano
(38155281) provided another strong showing in the first quarter with 11 points. Scoring became an issue in the second quarter as both teams focused on defense. Durano tried to spark a run with a powerful dunk, but he got into foul trouble in the next possession. Lubnan managed to get the score close in the second quarter, allowing Pilipinas to extend the lead by one point in 7 minutes. Pilipinas finally managed a breakthrough with their bench as they ended the half with a 15-2 run. Pilipinas seems to cruise to a victory, but Lubnan made a run early in the third quarter, cutting the lead by one at some point. All hopes for a comeback however were crushed when Lubnan point guard Sulaiman Alam Hattar was injured by Boanerjes Mabilangan
(39148769) with 2:54 left in the third. Lubnan SG El-Qasem repaid the favor with a flagrant foul early in the 4th quarter, but it made no difference as Estillore scored 11 in the period to secure the win.
We will take on Nippon U21 (Japan) next week,
Monday October 10, 4PM. On paper, we have the advantage due to salaries and home court. However, we expect it to be a difficult game as Nippon must win this one to stay in contention.