The Filipinos blew a 15-point advantage in the third period and led by only three with three minutes left before Ali Peek and Dondon Hontiveros sparked a late surge to ice it.
Coach Chot Reyes credited the win to assistants Binky Favis and Aboy Castro as he hardly spoke during the game because of a sore throat. He was literally speechless after the rousing win.
Reyes said it was ironic that the Philippines won despite playing its worst game so far in the eight-nation tournament. The aspirants were outrebounded by six, shot only 43 percent from the floor and committed 18 turnovers. But they played with the heart and character of a champion.
"It’s good our three reinforcements (Hontiveros, Mike Cortez and Sonny Thoss) arrived (last Monday) because this was the same juncture we struggled in last year when fatigue and the unfamiliarity of playing everyday start taking a heavy toll," said Reyes.
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala, watching at courtside, said the team showed a lot of character in repulsing the taller and younger Australians.
"We started slow, showing signs of fatigue from playing their fourth straight game," said Eala. "One thing noticeable is that the pros are starting to adjust to international rules and style of play. Ali Peek was a revelation. He played against 6-9 guys but was dominating. Cortez controlled tempo and Yancy (de Ocampo) showed toughness and versatility."
Eala singled out amateur star Joseph Yeo of Harbour Centre as the Team’s surprise package. "Yeo hit big threes and showed a lot of maturity," said Eala. "Dondon also broke out. Overall, the team showed character."
Yeo led the aspirants with 15 points in 18 minutes.
"I was disappointed with the fact that despite being the younger team, the Philippines was consistently first on the ground," said Australian coach Marty Clarke. "They kept beating us to the loose balls."
The Philippines raced to a 32-27 lead with Yeo firing 10 points. Then, Yancy de Ocampo and Hontiveros combined for 13 points with Yeo, John Arigo and Arwind Santos knocking down triples in an explosive third period. Australia came back from 15 points down to trim the gap to nine, 56-47.
"I had very little to do with this win as it was coaches Binky and Aboy who did most of the coaching as I lost my voice since the night before," said Reyes.
Eala said the team is beginning to jell. "Coach Chot did a good job of shuffling his players," he added. "This was a big win because it proved we can win even if we haven’t reached our top form."
With the win, the Philippines survived its first do-or-die test. To qualify for the Final Four, the Philippines must win the rest of its games. The Philippines’ campaign in the Jones Cup is supported by the PBA Board and San Miguel Corp.