Pesky Qatar edges out Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – Still hurting from a heartbreaking loss to Iran Thursday, Gilas Pilipinas continued the misery Friday, yielding to a resilient Qatar squad, 68-77, for a rough start in the quarterfinal round of the 17th Asian Games basketball competition in South Korea.

After controlling the game for most part of the first half, Gilas succumbed in the next two quarters to the hot-shooting Qataris, who went on a 15-0 tear in the third quarter to seize the upperhand, 51-39.

The Filipinos tried hard to come back in the final quarter, with veteran Jimmy Alapag leading the charge with three consecutive triples to come within six, 74-68, with a little over a minute left in the game.

But Qatar held its ground as Gilas ran out of time to complete a comeback.

Yousuf Mohamed led the Qataris with 19 points, including nine in that 15-0 third quarter run that proved to be the pivotal part of the game.

With the loss, Gilas will be under more pressure win against rival South Korea at 1 p.m. Saturday to keep their semis hopes alive.

The Filipinos dropped a 63-68 decision to Iran Friday, a loss which appeared to take a huge toll given their disappointing performance against Qatar.