Gilas outmuscles Iran, grabs Group E top spot

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas used a big second half run to finally solve the Iran puzzle as they hustled and muscled their way to an 87-73 win Monday and grabbed the top spot in Group E heading into the final day of the second round in the 2015 FIBA Asia Men's Championship.

 

Terrence Romeo came off the bench with 12 points in the third canto to energize Gilas as they outscored Iran in that pivotal quarter, 28-17. 

 

Hamed Haddadi was neutralized and eventually taken away for good from the game with a foul and technical foul after Calvin Abueva's fastbreak play. 

 

With Haddadi out, Iran imploded and took its first loss in the tournament. The defending FIBA Asia champions fell to second place as Gilas caught up with them with 3-1 win-loss record.

 

Iran appeared to have a firm control of the game opening up a 10-point lead in the first half but Gilas, behind the blazing guns of Jayson Castro, slowly came back.

 

Castro led Gilas with 26 points while Andray Blatche came up with 18 points and nine rebounds. 

 

Romeo and Abueva, who sparked the second half breakaway, came off the bench to combine for 28 points.

 

Haddadi was limited to 10 points and seven rebounds while Nikkah Bahrami paced Iran with 21 points.

 

It was Gilas' first win against Iran since the 2011 Jones Cup. It was also Gilas' first win against Iran in the FIBA Asia Men's Championship since the Middle East power rose to the top in 2007.