The Gilas Pilipinas, Dominican Republic game on Friday evening saw a battle of grit, defense and NBA players putting up a show worthy of an international event with the visitors pulling away during the few minutes of the game after a Jordan Clarkson exit due to foul trouble.
It was a nick-and-tuck battle until Clarkson fouled out with 3:32 seconds to play, giving the World No. 27 Dominican Republic a chance to seize the lead for good and edge out the Philippines 87-81.
The Filipino-American scoring machine led the way for Gilas with 28 ponts, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Clarkson waxed hot during the first half, scoring 18 of his game high 28 points.
Courtesy SBP
Six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo imposed his will inside with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Dwight Ramos, who took over in the third quarter, fired 13 points.
It was a close game with neither team leading by more than four points, until the exit of Clarkson due to an offensive foul.
This was Karl Anthony Towns actually “went to town” and took over.
Courtesy FIBA
From a so-so first half performance, Towns came out hot in the second half and scored a game high 26 points, to go with his 10 rebounds.
The NBA star from the Minnesota Timberwolves was unstoppable as he imposed his will against Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
BATTLE OF NBA STARS
The second half was a battle between NBA stars Clarkson, who plays for the Utah Jazz and Minnesota’s Towns during the third quarter, with both players showing why they are in the worldwide premiere league.
Courtesy FIBA
While Clarkson may have outscored Towns 28-26, it was the Timberwolves star that got the win.
SPECIAL GUEST
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived at the game a met with the players. He shook hands with them before taking a photo with the other sponsors.
NEW RECORD
The Philippine got a consolation though, as the country was able to set a new World Cup record attendance crowd of 38,115, besting the previous record of 32,616.
“It was amazing. Glad everyone came out to support,” he said.
He however hoped for a different outcome.
I’m justkind of upset that we did not come out with the win. Some things did not go our way in the end, but we found hard and we have to kept to it,” he said.
Gilas will face Angola on Sunday and Italy on Tuesday.
Team Captain Japeth Aguilar said that they are hopeful that they will win in the next two games.
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