Gilas Pilipinas turned to Mike Myers, Christian Standhardinger and Matthew Wright to get their third victory in the 39th William Jones Cup against Japan on Tuesday, July 18 with a final score of 100-85.
Import Mike Myers registered another double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while Fil-German Christian Standhardinger posted his own double-double performance with 22 points and 15 rebounds on 10-of-12 shooting for Philippines.
Wright scored 15 and 4 assists. Jio Jalalon added 11 points and two steals, Kiefer Ravena contributed 11 points and four assists.
The 6-8 Standhardinger and Myers duo helped the Philippines dominate the boards, 49-35, against Japan's Under-24 side.
For the second time, Gilas found itself in a dogfight against a team it was expected to beat handily, trailing by six points, 47-53, deep into the third quarter.
After entering the fourth quarter at 66-all, Gilas Pilipinas blew the game wide open, beginning with a pair of backcourt steals leading to a layup from Jio Jalalon and a 3 from Carl Bryan Cruz to take a 77-73 lead.
The Philippines experienced a late scare as Jalalon appeared to hurt his left leg and failed to play in the game’s final minute after Japan’s Shuto Ando fell into him.
Gilas will play a crucial face-off against longtime rival, South Korea on Wednesday at 5 pm.
Video HighlightsThe scores:
Philippines 100 - Standhardinger 22, Myers 17, Wright 15, Ravena 11, Jalalon 11, Cruz 7, Pessumal 6, Pogoy 5, Paras 4, Tolomia 2, Gotladera 0.
Japan 85 - Sugiura 22, Vendrame 12, Hiraiwa 12, Hara 12, Ando 11, Nomoto 9, Tawatari 5, Ikuhara 2, Sato 0, Taichi 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 41-42, 66-66, 100-85. Stats via jonescup.choxue.com.