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FIBA WCup: Gilas fend off gutsy Saudi, win 3rd straight in Asian qualifiers

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<p>With their opponents playing an inspired game, Gilas Pilipinas knew it was useful having a 7-foot-2 presence they could rely on when things got tough.</p><p>Getting a morale boost from legions of Filipino fans in attendance helped the visitors&#x27; cause, too.</p><p>Coach Chot Reyes and his squad overcame a determined Saudi Arabia to win 76-63 in the Asian qualifiers in Jeddah on Sunday (Saudi time) for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.</p><style rel="stylesheet">.scroll-wrapper {-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;}.scroll-wrapper iframe {border: none;}</style><div class="scroll-wrapper"><iframe id="MegaControllerIframe-1668387033033" style="width:100%;min-height:480px" src="https://join.megaphonetv.com?m=rrwbz&amp;tohost_bridgetype=web&amp;tocontroller_bridgetype=web&amp;iswebpoll=true&amp;poll_id=63718f877e841700177e2a1b"></iframe></div><script type="text/javascript">!function(){class e{constructor(t,s=null){this.type=null,this.fieldName=t,this.fieldValue=s,this.originMessageID=`${(new Date).getTime()}_${Math.random()}`,this.systemID=e.SYSTEM_ID}toPlainObject(){return JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(this))}}e.GET='GET',e.SET='SET',e.RESPONSE='RESPONSE',e.LOCAL_STORAGE_CHECK='LOCAL_STORAGE_CHECK',e.SYSTEM_ID='MP_FIRST_PARTY_DATA_BRIDGE';class t extends e{constructor(t,s,a=null){super(t,s),this.status=a,this.type=e.RESPONSE}}function s(){try{if('undefined'==typeof localStorage)return!1;try{return localStorage.setItem('testkey','testvalue'),localStorage.removeItem('testkey'),!0}catch(e){return!1}}catch(e){return!1}}if(window&&window.addEventListener){const a=document.getElementById('MegaControllerIframe-1668387033033');new class{constructor(){this.targetOrigin='*',this.bubblingMessages=new Map,this.beginListeningForMessages()}beginListeningForMessages(){window.addEventListener('message',this.messageListener.bind(this),!1)}messageListener(a){if(a.data.systemID!==e.SYSTEM_ID)return;let i=a.data.type,n=a.data.fieldName,r=a.data.fieldValue,g=new t;if(g.originMessageID=a.data.originMessageID,i===e.GET)g.fieldName=n,s()?this.handleGet(n,a.source,g):this.checkForBubble(a.data,a.source,g);else if(i===e.SET)s()?this.handleSet(n,r):this.checkForBubble(a.data,a.source,g);else if(i===e.LOCAL_STORAGE_CHECK)s()?this.handleLocalStorageCheck(a.source,g):this.checkForBubble(a.data,a.source,g);else if(i===e.RESPONSE){const e=this.bubblingMessages.get(a.data.originMessageID);null!=e&&(this.bubblingMessages.delete(a.data.originMessageID),e.source.postMessage(a.data,this.targetOrigin))}}handleGet(e,t,s){s.fieldValue=localStorage.getItem(e),s.status=200,t.postMessage(s.toPlainObject(),this.targetOrigin)}handleSet(e,t){localStorage.setItem(e,t)}handleLocalStorageCheck(e,t){t.status=200,e.postMessage(t.toPlainObject(),this.targetOrigin)}checkForBubble(e,t,s){!function(){try{return window.self!==window.top}catch(e){return!0}}()?(s.status=403,s.fieldValue=null,t.postMessage(s.toPlainObject(),this.targetOrigin)):this.bubbleMessage(e,t)}bubbleMessage(t,s){this.bubblingMessages.set(t.originMessageID,{message:t,source:s}),t.type!==e.GET&&t.type!==e.LOCAL_STORAGE_CHECK||setTimeout(this.handleBubbledMessageTimeout.bind(this),4e3,t,s),window.parent.postMessage(t,this.targetOrigin)}handleBubbledMessageTimeout(t,s){this.bubblingMessages.has(t.originMessageID)&&(this.bubblingMessages.delete(t.originMessageID),t.status=404,t.type=e.RESPONSE,s.postMessage(t,this.targetOrigin))}};window.addEventListener('message',function(e){e.data.hasOwnProperty('height')&&(a.style.height=(parseInt(e.data.height)+1).toString()+'px')},!1)}}();</script><p>Kai Sotto had another impactful game, finishing with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks, as all Gilas starters scored at least 9 points — a balanced attack anchored on their big man that sufficed completing a 2-0 Middle East trip.</p><p>The Philippines, which raised its record to 5-3, closes out its group assignments with a <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/12/22/sbp-hopes-to-bring-in-brownlee-in-gilas-home-games" target="_blank">home-and-home</a> series against Lebanon and Jordan on February 24 and 27, respectively. </p><p>&quot;I think we got a lot of energy from the crowd,&quot; Reyes said, as Gilas supporters turned in droves at King Abdullah Sports City and instantly played the proverbial sixth-man&#x27;s role normally enjoyed by hosts.</p><p>&quot;They really gave us a huge boost. They just wouldn’t allow us to lose until we hit our stride, until we finally hit some shots in the second half and the third quarter.&quot;</p><p>Gilas knew immediately this wasn&#x27;t the same Saudi team they bludgeoned by 38 points at <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/29/22/clarkson-powered-gilas-bucks-slow-start-in-rout-of-saudi-arabia" target="_blank">Mall of Asia Arena</a> on August 29. </p><p>The first quarter ended 16-all. And just when the Filipinos thought they were going to coast to victory in the second half, the hosts trailed only by 16 points the most.</p><p>In the fourth quarter, Mathna Almarwani hit a 3-pointer off an assist by Hazim Bader A Aljohar to draw within 69-61 near the last 2 minutes. </p><p>But Gilas made enough free throws down the stretch to seal the win. </p><p>Roger Pogoy added 13 points and 3 3-pointers, Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 points and 4 assists, and CJ Perez had 10 for the Philippines, who enjoyed a 38-26 disparity in defensive rebounds. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/12/22/fiba-kai-sotto-growing-in-maturity-for-gilas-says-chot">Kai Sotto growing in maturity for Gilas, says Chot</a></li></ul><p>Scottie Thompson – who tallied 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals – connected with Sotto on a perfectly executed alley-oop to extend the Philippines&#x27; lead 65-53 with 5:30 left in the game.</p>

Gilas Pilipinas overcame a determined Saudi Arabia to win 76-63 in the Asian qualifiers on Sunday (Saudi time) for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.