Cabañero, Gilas sizzle early in 3x3

Gilas Pilipinas’ defense played a key role in its clean sweep of the opening day of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men’s 3x3 basketball on Monday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue.

Putting pressure on their opponents while torching the net with their torrid shooting, Gilas scored back-to-back victories at the expense of Mongolia and Sri Lanka.

Nic Cabañero was unstoppable on offense in both games.

The University of Santo Tomas product scored seven points in Gilas’ 19-12 win over Mongolia to open the day.

He shot an efficient 5-of-8 on one-point shooting clip and grabbed five rebounds.

Cabañero followed it up with an eight-point performance, including two two-pointers, in Gilas’ 21-12 rout of Sri Lanka to stay unscathed.

Despite carrying Gilas on his shoulders with his hot hands, Cabañero credited the team’s defensive effort in both games.

“It’s our defense that brought us the win. We saw how our teamwork worked,” Cabañero said.

Gilas had a hard time shaking off the Mongolians and even trailed, 1-3. A huge 8-1 burst to shatter a 6-6 deadlock gave Gilas a sizeable separation before keeping Mongolia at bay.

The Philippines raced to a 12-4 lead against the Sri Lankans and cruised the rest of the way with Luis Pablo draining the game-winning basket with 2:48 to spare.

“Yes, we struggled at first, but it’s not how you start the game, it’s how you finish it. I’m grateful to my teammates and coaches for getting this win. This glory is for our countrymen, ourselves, and our loved ones,” Cabañero said.

Gilas will try to sweep the pool stage and secure a quarterfinal seat against Kazakhstan tomorrow.

Mongolia and Kazakhstan are tied with identical 1-1 win-loss slates while Sri Lanka has dropped both of its games.

Koji Buenaflor scored six points while Pablo and Doy Dungo had three markers in Gilas’ win over the Mongolians.

Buenaflor and Pablo backed Cabañero with six points apiece in crushing Sri Lanka, while Dungo had one marker.

“We’re grateful that we got the 2-0 win. But this is the crucial part. The quick turnaround heading into the next game. Our main focus is the next game,” Pablo said.

“Whatever happened today, we’re grateful and blessed. But we have to move on because it’s the beginning of the tournament.”

Meanwhile, KA Kennan, Amyah Espanol, Maria Pasilang and Kacey Dela Rosa banner Gilas’ bid in the distaff side.

Gilas Women battle Mongolia today at 11 a.m. before taking on Macau in the afternoon session of Pool C.