Kiefer trey lifts Filipinos past Senegalese
The veteran guard made his lone basket of the ball game, hitting a contested three-pointer off a kick out pass from AJ Edu
Daily TribuneThe veteran guard made his lone basket of the ball game, hitting a contested three-pointer off a kick out pass from AJ Edu
Kiefer Ravena knocked down the finishing blow to lead Gilas Pilipinas to a 75-63 payback win over Senegal in their rematch in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament late Sunday at the Heyuan Sports Gymnasium in China.
The veteran guard made his lone basket of the ball game, hitting a contested three-pointer off a kick out pass from AJ Edu with 1:07 left on the clock to break the backs of the Senegalese looking to mount a late comeback.
Ravena's triple put Gilas' lead back to 10 after Senegal answered Edu's trey with 1:37 left with a three-pointer in the next play.
It was sweet revenge for Gilas after absorbing, 64-72, loss in their first meeting last Friday.
The Filipinos improved to a 2-1 win-loss record in the pocket tournament that serves as part of their buildup for the FIBA World Cup kicking off in Manila on 25 August.
Gilas fought back from a 47-53 deficit with a stirring run in the payoff period.
CJ Perez led Gilas with 14 points while Edu finished with 13 in his first tournament after recovering from an injury. Dwight Ramos added 12 and June Mar Fajardo posted 11.
Ray Parks, who sparked Gilas' fourth quarter uprising, had eight points while Ravena closed his night with three markers coming off the biggest basket of the game.
Gilas tries to repeat over Iran as of press time.
The Filipinos are expected to hook up with National Basketball Association star Jordan Clarkson, who is scheduled to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday morning from the Los Angeles International Airport, as well as 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto.
Gilas will also play Montenegro and Mexico on 20 and 21 August, respectively, for their last tune-up games before marching into battle on basketball's biggest stage.
The Philippines is in Group A of the FIBA World Cup group phase along with world No. 10 Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola.
