By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE Philippines got its FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers campaign to a winning start after Gilas Pilipinas defeated Japan, 77-71, in their opening Group B game last night in Tokyo, Japan.

Towed by the game-long brilliance of Jayson William, Gilas overcame their struggles on both ends of the court all throughout and did just enough to withstand the spirited home stand by the Japanese national team.

The game started slow with both teams struggling to find their shots early.

Gilas held a three-point spread, 6-3, in the first five minutes of the game before going on a 10-1 run in the next two minutes behind William and June Mar Fajardo to build a 16-4 cushion.

Makoto Hiejima scored back-to-back baskets to pull Japan to within eight points, 16-8.

But the Philippines would eventually claim the first frame, 18-10.

In the second quarter, Gilas jumpstarted things with a 6-0 blast as Calvin Abueva came off the bench to provide instant offense and help his team to a 24-10 advantage.

Mr. Hiejiema then waxed hot for the hosts, leading his team to narrow its deficit to just five points, 29-24.

Mr. William, however, would come to Gilas’ rescue as they sped to a 37-28 lead at the halftime break.

Japan had a fiery start to the third quarter, outscoring the Philippines, 10-0, to seize the lead for the first time in the game, 38-37, at the 7:30 mark of the frame.

The two teams went back and forth thereafter, fighting to a 46-all count at the 3:42 mark of the canto.

Seven straight points by Gilas in the next minute and a half gave it more breathing space, 53-46, from which it would build on and set a 59-55 cushion at the end of three quarters.

The contest remained close at the opening minutes of the payoff quarter with the Philippines holding a three-point lead, 63-60, with six minutes to go.

Gilas extended it to a 10-point spread by the 3:40 mark with Matthew Wright and Mr. Fajardo and naturalized player Andray Blatche on the firing end.

Just when Japan seemingly was losing its grip on the game, it fashioned out another comeback, with Yuki Togashi and naturalized player Ira Brown taking charge.

The host made it a three-point affair, 72-69, after Mr. Togashi hit a triple with 1:35 remaining left.

But Mr. William would answer back with a trifecta of his own to extend the Philippines’s advantage to six, 75-69, with 1:10 left on the clock.

Japan tried to inch closer after but its attempts failed to hit the mark.

A Roger Pogoy breakaway lay-up with 26 ticks remaining made the lead eight points , 77-69, and secured the win for the Philippines.

Mr. William led Gilas with 20 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.

Mr. Blatche had 13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks while Mr. Wright had 12.

Gabe Norwood is the other Gilas player who scored in double digits with 10 points.

Mr. Hiejima was the high point man for Japan with 20 points with Daiki Tanaka and Mr. Brown adding 10 points apiece.

The game was the first of six home and away games during competition windows for Gilas Pilipinas as stipulated under world governing body FIBA’s new competition system.

Next for the Philippines is a match with Chinese Taipei on Monday here in Manila at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In the Asian Qualifiers, 16 teams have been divided into four groups to determine the top seven teams joining World Cup host China as representatives of Asia/Oceania at the 32-field Basketball World Cup happening in August 2019.

Apart from the Philippines, Japan and Chinese Taipei, also part of Group B is Australia.

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