Sweet revenge, 13 years later

MANILA, Philippines — It happened 13 years ago but a nation that eats, drinks and breathes basketball never forgets.

For hoops-crazy Filipinos, the heartache that Iran inflicted Gilas Pilipinas on home soil back in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup final at the SM MOA Arena lingered on and they harbored a longing for vengeance.

That chance came last night when the two sides faced off again in the same Pasay venue for Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

And the Nationals – all heart and all guts minus Justin Brownlee and in June Mar Fajardo’s potential swan song – gratefully jumped at this opportunity.

In emphatic fashion, Tim Cone’s charges beat Team Melli, 68-56, to exorcise the ghost of 2013 to the delight of a throng of roaring supporters out for Iranian blood on Philippine soil.

Served 13 years after its 71-85 heartbreaker at MOA in the battle for Asian supremacy, the vengeful victory enabled the Philippines to complete a sweep of its two-game assignments in the kickoff window of Round 2 of the WCQ.

Just two nights before, the Nationals eked out a gutsy 82-81 steal over Jordan in overtime.

These twin Ws posted on Kai Sotto’s celebrated return and JMF’s planned farewell gave Gilas’ bid in Group E a much-needed boost.

With an improved 4-4 win-loss card and 12 points, the Filipinos moved within striking distance of third and fourth-running Jordan (13) and Iran (13) going to the next window in November.

To add salt to Iran’s wound, Gilas sent Team Melli home from the Manila leg winless in two appearances. The Iranians lost to New Zealand last Friday, 91-93, in extra time.

Juan Gomez de Liaño and Dwight Ramos shared leading scorer duties for Gilas this time as Sotto delivered a 13-16 double-double in his second outing after a two-year absence.

AJ Edu was also big and accounted for eight markers and eight boards while Fajardo, receiving applause each time he checked in and got the leather, finished with six in seven minutes of play.

Earlier, Australia and New Zealand continued their rampage to stay perched in the Top 2.

The undefeated Boomers stormed to their eighth win with a 126-93 romp over Jordan while the Tall Blacks walloped Syria, 126-74, to make it six in a row soar to 6-2.

Reigning three-peat Asian champion Australia dropped 12 unanswered points on the Falcons to set the tone for the 29-point romp that hiked their card to a leading 16 points.