ALLAN THE MAN

In last year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, Philippine national men’s basketball team forward Gabe Norwood made one of the most memorable plays – posterizing Argentina’s Luis Scola to land No. 3 on FIBA’s best plays list.

The athletic swingman isn’t quite done growing his personal FIBA highlight reel just yet.

2015 FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP: Following his consistent and superb showing all throughout the tournament, Philippine national men’s basketball team star guard Jayson Castro is currently in the running to win the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship MVP award.

“The Blur,” who was named to the Mythical Five in the 2013 edition of the tournament, earning him the accolade as the best point guard in Asia, is currently averaging 17.4 points, three rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 56.3 percent.

2015 FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP: Gilas Pilipinas is now in the semifinals where they will face Japan. The Filipinos are also already assured of a spot in the Olympic wildcard tournament next year if ever they fail to win the FIBA Asia crown which comes with an outright spot in the prestigious competition in Brazil next year.

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Gilas Pilipinas overcame Lebanon in the quarterfinals, 82-70, to move on to the semifinals of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Thursday, October 1 in Changsha, Hunan, China.

With the win, the Philippines completes the semifinals cast and will clash with second round foe Japan, while the other semis pairing is between defending champion Iran and host China. Gilas will attempt to defeat Japan a second time and make a return trip to the finals on Friday, October 2.

2015 FIBA CHAMPIONSHIP - QUARTERFINALS ROUND: The Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine national men’s basketball team now enters the most crucial stage of their 2015 FIBA Asia Championship campaign as they take on Lebanon in the quarterfinal round on Thursday at the Changsha Social Work College (CSWC) Dayun here in Hunan, China.

Gilas Pilipinas, which emerged as the No. 1 team in the Group E of the second round of competition, enters the final stretch of their run, where they will see just what this team is made of.

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Even far away from the squad, Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson wished good luck to the Philippine national men’s basketball team that is currently competing in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China.

Clarkson had been considered to be part of Gilas Pilipinas in the tournament, but time constraints regarding his eligibility process as well as his commitment with the Los Angeles Lakers ruled him out.

“I hope they make it to Rio (Olympics) and have the opportunity to keep the team and play well. That’s definitely gonna be good,” Clarkson said during the Lakers’ media day.

2015 FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP: Gilas Pilipinas bucked a cold start and pulled away in the thid quarter to hand India a 99-65 beating in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship on Tuesday, September 29 in Changsha, Hunan, China.

The Philippine national men's basketball team swept Group E in second round competition to finish as the top seed with a 4-1 record entering the quarterfinals. Their match-up is yet to be determined depending on the remaining games from Group F later in the day.

The Philippine national men’s basketball team needed to overcome a slow start to dispatch India, 99-65, as Gilas Pilipinas clinched the No.1 seed in Group E of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Tuesday at CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China.

Terrence Romeo poured in 20 points, three assists and three steals off the bench, while Andray Blatche made 15 markers.

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.

2015 FIBA Asia Championship: Second Round (Group E). Gilas Pilipinas defeated Iran, 87-73. Jayson William Castro's unstoppable spin move vs Iran (VIDEO).

Jayson Castro shows everyone who is the best point guard in Asia as he unleashes his wide array of moves against Iran highlighted by this nifty spin move.

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.

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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.