Philippines stuns Iran, close in on to top Group E
By: Julián Rikki C. Reyes

GILAS Pilipinas drew nearer in sweeping the second round of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship after dealing Iran its first loss, 87-73, in their Group E matchup at the Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium, Wednesday. Getting upset by the Palestine in the opening day, the Filipinos continued their hot run in the tournament, winning their next four assignments including this one against the defending champions Iran. Team Melli was leading by 10 points midway through the third canto when Gilas started to forge a 21-10 rally to snatch the lead and eventually increasing it to five heading into the last frame. The Philippines never looked back after that. Jayson William recorded 26 points, two rebounds, three assists and a same number of steals while Andray Blatche piled up 18 points, seven boards, four steals and two rejections to spearhead the Filipinos. Stats don’t lie Despite the size disadvantage, the Philippines out-rebounded Iran by a hair, 40-39. The nationals were also on target with a 46.8% field goal shooting clip compared to just 40.3% for Iran.
Though smaller, the Filipinos bravely attacked the basket all throughout the game and it earned them 30 free throw attempts – of which they made 20. Iran only had 8-of-15 makes from the stripe.
Philippines were also able to force Iran to commit 16 turnovers whom they convert into 19 points, and in contrast Iran had only forced 12 Filipino errors. Iran’s swingman Samad Nikka Bahrami top scored the previously unbeaten Iran, mustering 21 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting but the team’s main guy Hamed Haddadi was limited to just 10 points and 7 rebounds.