ALLAN THE MAN

The Philippine national men’s basketball team got pushed to the limit once again by Japan but still remained victorious in their semifinal encounter ,81-70, as Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship finals Friday at College of Social Work Dayun in Changsha, China.

Dondon Hontiveros had his best game in the tournament, scoring 18 points on six triples, including the dagger one late in the game that kept the resilient Japanese at bay.

China flashed its killer form in dethroning erstwhile champion Iran, 70-57, as the hosts moved on to the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship finals Friday night at College of Social Work Dayun in Changsha.

Former NBA player Yi Jianlian once again paced China with 13 points and eight boards while team captain Peng Zhou added 12 markers for the hosts that remain unbeaten in the tournament.

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.

WATCH PHILIPPINES vs JAPAN SEMIFINALS LIVE STREAM BELOW:

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.