Just like their previous performances, the Filipinos gave the Aussies a tough time before crumbling in the end. The Aussies went on to prevail, 96-91. The Filipinos really went out for the win after the Aussies absorbed their first loss of the tournament Friday night against Lokomotiv Novosibirsk of Russia, 69-77.
With their latest win, the Aussies now stand alone on top of the leaderboard with a 5-1 win-loss card, half a game ahead of the University of Alberta Golden Bears of Canada (4-1) and a full game ahead of the SINA Lions of China (4-2).
The Filipinos dropped to 2-3. A win by the Filipinos could have meant equaling the number of losses between them and the Aussies at two apiece.
Chris Brown led the Aussies’ charge with 27 points, six rebounds and four assists. Butch Hays added 17 points. Eddie Laure of the LBC Batangas Blades submitted a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Filipinos. Jeffrey Flowers of the Gilbey’s Olongapo Volunteers added 15 points.
Bruce Dacia of the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems (11 points) and Romel Adducul of the Osaka Pangasinan Waves (10 points) also handed out credible performances for the Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop-backed squad.
All what’s left now for coach Francis Rodriguez and his wards is to salvage a better placing and gain some pride in their remaining two games. The All Stars were still playing with the Lions at press time last night. They will then play their final game later today against Japan at 5 p.m. Prior to that game, the Aussies and the Golden Bears meet at 3 p.m. in a match that could decide this year’s champion. The awarding and closing ceremonies will be held immediately after the game between last year’s finalists Chinese-Taipei NT and South Korea Military set for 7 p.m.