Smart Gilas Pilipinas Edges Chinese Taipei in 2012 FIBA Asia Cup Quarterfinals

The Smart Gilas Pilipinas team survived a scare late in the fourth quarter from Chinese Taipei during their quarterfinal match at Ota Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. Thus, the Philippine team moves onto the semifinal round in the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup competition via a 75-68 win.

Despite a slew of scoring from the Chinese Taipei national team, Smart Gilas were able to hold them off such that they were able to put in only five points during the first five minutes of the game. A three-pointer from Gary David helped push the lead up to 14 with a few seconds shy of 4 minutes.

But Taipei is not yet done as they were able to execute a 9-0 run to bring the lead down to just 5 with the clock at 1:52. Gilas responded with a tougher defensive play and prevent the Chinese Taipei team from converting another triple and forcing them into a couple of turnovers. Meanwhile, LA Tenorio helped to spark the offense for the Gilas team with the help of Jeff Chan.

Now that Smart Gilas Pilipinas is moving onto the semifinal round of the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup, they are set to go up against Iran.

Marcus Douthit lead the entire Smart Gilas team with a double-double performance, 19 points and 18 rebounds. Other players that contributed to the team’s cause were Ranidel de Ocampo and Gary David.