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Manila, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas made history in Asian Men’s Basketball as they take home the First Gold Medal since 1962. The win ended a 61 year drought of Men’s Basketball in Asian Games defeating Jordan 70-60 at the Hangzhou Olympic Centre Gymnasium in China.
Jordan is the only team that beat Gilas Pilipinas in Group Phase, after that Gilas climbed a mountain, they need to have an extra game against Qatar in order to be in the quarter-finals and bet the powerhouse Iran and China in the semi-finals but never say die spirit of Philippines prevailed to end the tournament with a historic Gold Medal.
Gilas Pilipinas handed Team Jordan its first loss of the tournament 70-60, Gilas almost control the game and leading as much as 15-28 before Jordan ignited a run including Rondae Hollis Jefferson 8 points to even at 31-31 to end the second quarter.
Justin Brownlee led Gilas Pilipinas with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Chris Newsome and Scottie Thompson finished in double figure with 13 and 10 points respectively.
Gilas outscored Jordan 21-10 in the third quarter to solidify 51-41 led entering the final period.
Rondae Hollis Jefferson led Jordan with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in their first ever Silver Medal in Men’s Basketball Asian games.
Ange Kouame is the magic bunot of coach Tim Cone, who fills the absence of June Mar Fajardo’s offense, Kouame finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes of play, while 4x Finals MVP of PBA June Mar only contributed 7 rebounds in 19 minutes of play.
Lead changes of the game – 4
Deadlock of the game – (3-3, 29-29, 31-31, 37-37)
