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FIBA Asia Cup: Gilas Pilipinas rocks Iraq, rolls to 2nd win

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/08/11/gilas-pilipinas-2017-081017.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>For a second straight game, Terrence Romeo led the Philippines in scoring and played a vital role in Gilas&#x27; victory. Courtesy of FIBA.com</figcaption></figure></div>(UPDATED) Terrence Romeo scored 17 points and Christian Standhardinger added 16, as the big-man, small-man combination keyed a third-quarter blitz to lead the Philippines to an 84-68 victory over Iraq in the FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon on Friday.Gilas Pilipinas now leads Group B with a 2-0 record, and has secured first place and automatic passage through the quarterfinals no matter the result of its final pool assignment, against Qatar on Sunday.Iraq and China, both 1-1, also play each other on Sunday. China defeated Qatar 92-67 earlier on Friday.Compared to its victory on Wednesday over China that was marked by a flawless start, the Philippines was anything but perfect in the early goings against Iraq at Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex.Gilas&#x27; shots weren&#x27;t falling and the Filipinos were constantly outhustled for loose balls, leading to a mere 32 points and just a one-point lead over Iraq at halftime.But Iraq&#x27;s defense started to loosen up in the third quarter, and that&#x27;s when Gilas began to make its move.A personal 7-0 run by Standhardinger broke a tied game to give the Philippines a 42-35 lead, before Romeo added 7 more to make it 49-35.Overall, the Philippines strung together 21 straight points to go up 56-35, while holding Iraq scoreless for 7 1/2 minutes.In the same quarter, Gilas limited Iraq to only 2 field goals and outscored the Middle Eastern side 29-8.Carl Bryan Cruz added 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point land, while Gabe Norwood chipped in 8 points and 7 rebounds.It was Norwood, too, who primarily contained Kevin Galloway, Iraq&#x27;s top scorer. Galloway finished with 23 points, but was largely ineffective in the second half.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank"> ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Terrence Romeo scored 17 points and Christian Standhardinger added 16, as the Philippines beat Iraq 84-68 in the FIBA Asia Cup on Friday.

Terrence Romeo scored 17 points and Christian Standhardinger added 16, as the Philippines beat Iraq 84-68 in the FIBA Asia Cup on Friday.