MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine national team is still days away from their next Asian Games basketball match.

While we all wait, let’s look back on the telling numbers that shaped the Filipinos’ rousing romp of the Kazakhstan national team last Thursday ahead of the 2018 Asiad opening ceremonies.

Players from Kazakhstan (white) and the Philippines (blue) watch the ball in their men’s basketball preliminary Group D game between Kazakhstan and the Philippines during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 16, 2018. | Lillian Sunwanrumpha/AFP

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It took three minutes for the Kazakhs to make a field goal in the game. By then, the Filipinos were ahead, 12-4.  

Kazakhstan's Anton Bykov (C) tries to push the ball past Philippines' Raymond Almazan and Stanley Pringle. | Lillian Sunwanrumpha/AFP

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The Philippines forced Kazakhstan to commit 22 turnovers, which clearly threw the latter team out of a groove. The Filipinos only had nine.

Philippines’ James Carlos Yap (R) shoots against Kazakhstan. | Lillian Sunwanrumpha/AFP

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James Yap and Asi Taulava’s total number of points. Despite their aging frames, the two players — whose last national team tour of duty came nine years ago — were able to make their presence felt. 

Twelve of those points came from the sweet-shooting Yap.

Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson being escorted by members of the Philippine delegation. | Asian Games Photo

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Jordan Clarkson, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard who was initially barred from participating, arrived at the venue during the tailend of the third quarter following a flight from Los Angeles through Singapore. 

Former Houston Rocket Yao Ming. | Asian Games Photo

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There were actually two NBA players at the GBK Basket Hall where the tussle was held. Clarkson was joined by Yao Ming. Though retired, the latter’s presence made heads turn as this suggests that the Philippine quintet is taken seriously by their next opponents: the Chinese. 

Yao, a Hall-of-Famer, is serving as the president of China’s national basketball program. 

Kazakhstan’s Anton Bykov (L) attempts a shot against Philippines’ JP Erram. | Lillian Sunwanrumpha/AFP

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Before two NBAers and a partisan crowd, the Filipinos made the Kazakhs pay for their erratic ball handling and playmaking. They drew 29 markers from their foes’ errors.

Philippines’ Stanley Pringle (L) tussles for the ball against Kazakhstan's Rustam Murzagaliyev. | Lillian Sunwanrumpha/AFP

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There are two rookies in the crew that saw action on Thursday. Stanley Pringle stood out after tallying the most points for a crew laden with national team veterans. Poy Erram, for his part, provided added presence in the interior through his rebounding and defense. 

The 11-man crew of the hastily-assembled Philippine delegation. | Asian Games Photo

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Number of cagers from the Philippine team who went scoreless. Everyone from the 11-man squad got to play, too! 

Philippines head coach Joseller 'Yeng' Guiao looks on as Yap takes a freethrow. | Rocky Padilla/Contributed Photo

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The recent victory also marks the third time the Filipinos beat the Kazakhs in the quadrennial meet. The last time, prior the game last Thursday, came when Chot Reyes was the head coach and Marcus Douthit was the naturalized big man. 

That team drew flak in an already-snared win after Douthit shot in its own hoop to reach a quotient.

Team Philippines back in practice shortly after scoring a win. Clarkson quickly joined the session on Thursday. | SBP Photo

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One more assignment is left for the Philippines before they wrap up their Group D campaign. They are basically assured of a spot in the next round barring any major upset by the Kazakhs against the perennial powerhouse Chinese team.

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