By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
THE Philippine Basketball Association-powered national team got its 18th Asian Games campaign to a good start on Thursday, defeating Kazakhstan, 96-59, in their preliminary Group D match at the Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Got off to a strong start, the Philippine team just built on it the rest of the way, with a balanced and aggressive attack, to hold off the Kazakhs en route to the win.
Gabe Norwood, Stanley Pringle and Maverick Ahanmisi jolted the Philippines’ charge at the start, helping the team to a 12-2 lead early.
Kazakhstan tried to battle back but could not find the mark as much as it wanted to, slumping to a 16-9 deficit at the end of the opening quarter.
The Philippines continued to lord it over Kazakhstan to begin the second canto as James Yap joined the scoring fray.
The veteran Rain or Shine player would help the nationals in creating further distance with steady long bombs.
When the first-half smoke cleared, the Philippines was comfortably ahead, 41-20.
Kazakhstan came out of the third quarter scoring better from the outside, making constant attempts to chip away at the lead of the Philippines.
But the Filipinos would not relent, keeping the offensive pressure on their opponents as Messrs. Yap, Pringle, and Christian Standhardinger continued to hit the mark.
The Philippines eventually settled for a 61-43 advantage heading into the final frame.
Comfortably ahead, the Philippines went for the early finish to start the payoff quarter.
It went on a 12-4 run in the first three and half minutes, to build a 73-47 lead and coasted to the victory thereafter.
Mr. Pringle led the Philippines with 18 points with Mr. Standhardinger adding 15.
Mr. Yap had 12 while Paul Lee finished with 10.
Anton Bykov paced Kazakhstan with 13 markers and Dmitriy Gavrilov added nine points.
Next for the Philippines is a meeting with China on Aug. 21 where Filipino-American National Basketball Association player Jordan Clarkson is set to make his debut for the Philippine team at the Asian Games.
The Philippine team, which is backed by Smart Communications Inc, is hoping to emerge in the top two in the grouping to advance to the next round of the Games.

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