ALLAN THE MAN

Gary David fired a tournament-high 22 points to lead Gilas Pilipinas to an easy 88-58 destruction of Kazakhstan to advance to the semifinals of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

Jayson Castro contributed 13 points and 4 assists, Japeth Aguilar impressed with 11 points, 9 rebounds and two blocks and Gabe Norwood made all of his attempts to finish with 10 as the Philippines finally allowed the injured Marcus Douthit to get some rest. (READ FULL STORY HERE)

The Philippine national men’s basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, rode on a hot start for a rousing 88-58 victory in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Championship 2013 on Friday.

With the victory, Gilas Pilipinas marched into the final four of the tournament, which serves as qualifier to the FIBA World Cup. The Philippines only needs to win one of its last two games to book its first appearance in the world basketball stage in four decades.

FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONSHIP 2013: If Gilas Pilipinas learned their lesson from the game against Hong Kong, then they are bound to win their FIBA Asia quarterfinal face-off opposite Kazakhstan set Friday night at the MOA Arena.

In a video interview by Solar Sports Desk Wednesday night, Pingris said their experience versus Hong Kong only proves no team can take any opponent lightly in this biennial tournament.

FIBA Asia Championship 2013 for Men is the intercontinental championship for basketball organized by FIBA Asia that serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

Here's the Knockout Quarterfinals Schedule:

Kazakhstan cruised to an 81-67 victory over Thailand in a match that ended early Friday morning at the Mall of Asia Arena to open their FIBA Asia Championship 2013 campaign.

Ace forward Anton Ponomarev dominated with 21 points and 13 rebounds for Kazakhstan, which never trailed in the game. Kazakhstan will only have several hours rest as it gears up for a showdown with fellow Group D winner Bahrain at 6 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Thailand will take on India in the final game of the second day of competition at the MOA Arena.

Kazakhstan coach Matteo Boniciolli became the first coach of a team competing in the FIBA Asia Championship 2013 to get a close look at the Philippine national men’s basketball team in a tuneup match on Friday night. (watch game replay here)

The Italian coach was impressed by Gilas Pilipinas, even going so far as to call the team a contender for the Asian title.

The Philippine national men’s basketball team, SMART Gilas Pilipinas, used its biggest strengths — speed and shooting — to take down a tall and athletic Kazakhstan side, 92-89, on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Jayson Castro sliced and diced his way to 20 points in just 18 minutes, while Jeff Chan waxed hot for 14 of his 20 points in the first half to lead the Gilas Pilipinas squad in its final tuneup match before the FIBA Asia Championship.