Qatar primes up vs Gilas, sinks Jordan

MANILA, Philippines - Qatar geared up for a crucial face-off with the host team as it ripped Jordan, 75-61, in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City yesterday.

The Qataris set out for their match with the Filipinos at 8:30 tonight riding on a four-game streak, including a sweep of the first round elims of the regional World Cup qualifier.

The FIBA Gulf zone champs are actually on a five-game roll in FIBA Asia events dating back to the 2012 Asia Cup where they clobbered Gilas Pilipinas, 63-79, in the playoff for third place.

The Qataris had a relatively easy time disposing of the Jordanians even with coach Tim Wisman managing the minutes of his key players in an effort to keep them fresh for their game against the Filipinos.

“Ours is not a young team and we have to really manage the playing time of our players,” said Wisman, anticipating a fast-paced game with Gilas Pilipinas.

“We know that the Philippines is quick and loves to run. We have to keep up with them,” Wisman pointed out.

In the Tokyo edition of the Asia Cup last year, the Qataris banked heavily on the quickness, savvy and leadership of NBA veteran guard Trey Johnson to turn back the Filipinos.

Wisman, however, opted to improve their ceiling and perimeter shooting in taking in Jarvis Hayes for Johnson.

Hayes was one of Qatar players putting in double figures in a balanced scoring they used to drub the Jordanians – the 2011 runners-up groping hard in the absence of former stars Sam Daghles and Rasheim Wright.

Aside from Hayes, other Qatar players that Gilas Pilipinas must contain are Yaseen Musa, Daoud Mosa, Saeed Erfan Ali and Mansour Atlif Elhadary.

In Wuhan in 2011, the Qataris set out with high hopes only to encounter eligibility problems on a half of their lineup.

FIBA Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian imposed the rules, coming down hard on the Qataris even as Qatari federation chief Sheik Saud Bin Ali Al-Thani is the president of FIBA Asia.

Wisman and his troops finished dead last, losing all their games in the Wuhan meet.

 The scores:

Qatar 75 – Hayes 15, Musa 14, Mosa 13, Ali 11, Elhadary 10, Turki 5, Mod 3, Saleem 2, Suliman 2, Malek 0.

Jordan 61– Hadrab 16, Al-Sous 14, Baxter 12, Alfajarj 5, Jamal 4, Shaher 3, Abu 3, Al 2, Alhamarseh 2, Abdeen 0.

Quarterscores: 23-23, 42-38, 61-52, 75-61