ALLAN THE MAN

The Philippine national men’s basketball team finally solved the puzzle of Iran as Gilas Pilipinas toppled its long-time tormentor and defending champion, 87-73, in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Monday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.
Jayson Castro exploded for 26 points to go along with three assists and three steals to pace Gilas Pilipinas. Andray Blatche, who suffered an ankle injury last game, added 18 points and seven boards.

2015 FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP: Naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche showed his big fighting heart against Japan, shrugging off an ankle injury to tow the Philippine national men’s basketball team to an intense 73-66 win in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Sunday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.

Blatche injured his ankle in the second period during a drive attempt. He re-aggravated the injury in the third frame while attempting a jumper.

Gilas Pilipinas avoided another meltdown and squeaked past Japan, 73-66, to improve their second round record to 2-1 in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Sunday, September 27 in Changsha, Hunan China.

Naturalized big man Andray Blatche played through an apparent ankle injury since the second quarter, carrying Gilas with key baskets down the stretch including an aggressive move to the basket for a 71-66 edge with under a minute to play.

The Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine national men’s basketball team hurdled an intense battle with a gritty Japan side to notch a 73-66 victory to start its second round campaign in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Sunday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.

Naturalized player Andray Blatche scored 18 points and 10 boards for Gilas Pilipinas despite hurting his ankle in the game.

Gilas Pilipinas got off to a 6-0 start as Blatche got aggressive on the offensive end early, sinking pullup jumpers.

FIBA Asia Championship 2015: Gilas Pilipinas will face much tougher competition when they take on Japan, India and defending champion Iran in the crossover second round – and Gilas coach Tab Baldwin is hopeful that the squad will have little trouble staying motivated and focused after displaying some troubling habits in their opening assignments. 

The Philippines was touted as one of the contenders for this year’s crown, along with Iran and host China.

WATCH GILAS PILIPINAS vs JAPAN FREE LIVE STREAMING BELOW:

FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP 2015: Check out how JC Intal stole the ball from the Kuwaiti side before going for a tomahawk dunk near the end of Gilas Pilipinas' FIBA Asia Championship match on Friday.

Gilas was already up 106-64 when Intal caught a Kuwaiti player telegraphing a pass near Kuwait's goal.

On to the second round. Gilas Pilipinas continued its rampage after its 51-point drubbing of Hong Kong as they bulldozed past Kuwait, 110-64, in Group B on Friday, September 25 at the Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium in Changsha, Hunan, China.

The Philippine national men's basketball team finished the first round with a 2-1 record and is safely through to the second group phase of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

The Philippine national men’s basketball team cruised past Kuwait, 110-64, to have a strong finish to its group stage campaign in the in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Friday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.

Terrence Romeo had his best game of the tournament so far, scoring 19 points. Jayson Castro also continued his fine showing for Gilas Pilipinas with 16 points.

After suffering a shocking defeat in the opening game of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, the Philippine national basketball team went on beast mode.

Gilas Pilipinas took out its frustration on an overmatched Hong Kong squad, 101-50, on Thursday in Changsha, China to ease some of the pain of its loss to Palestine.

The Philippines didn't give the East Asian side a chance, leading from bell to bell. Gilas scored the first 12 points of the game and never looked back.

Following an embarassing loss, the Philippine national men’s basketball team vented its ire on Hong Kong, 101-50, to bounce back in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Thursday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.

Jayson Castro led Gilas Pilipinas with 21 points and also fired five triples in the game to go along with his five boards and two assists.

After a shock upset loss to FIBA Asia first-timers Palestine in their opening game of the 2015 edition of the tournament, Philippine national men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin said that their performance should not be seen as an indicator of the capabilities of the Gilas Pilipinas national team but simply a misstep that must be corrected.

“This tournament is far from over. This is not a statement game of who Gilas Pilipinas is. This is a big mistake by our team, by our coaching staff, all of us,” Baldwin told reporters at the postgame press conference following his team’s 75-73 defeat at the CSWC Dayun on Wednesday.

The Philippines got off to a terrible start in their quest for an Olympics ticket as the debuting Palestine stunned Gilas Pilipinas, 75-73, in Group B action of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Wednesday, September 23 at the Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium in Changsha, China.

The Philippines led by as much as 15 early in the first half and held the advantage most of the way before an Jamal Abu Shamala 3-pointer shoved Palestine ahead by a hair, 72-71, with 1:35 remaining.