Baldwin: Gilas getting better but not yet good enough

MANILA, Philippines -- Molded as brothers in arms and not just teammates by a rugged, physical game the previous day, Gilas Pilipinas marched on, blasting Japan, 75-60, Wednesday to close in on leader Iran halfway through the 2015 Jones Cup at the Xinchuang Gymnasium here.

“The bonding from the battle (against Russia) may have flowed to the spirit of the team,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. “The team is enjoying a great spirit. They’re enjoying each other’s company. Off-court chemistry is flowing on the court.

The Nationals stoked the fire of their 85-71 win over Spartak-Primorye of Russia in a fight-marred game Tuesday, firing away from all over the floor in a blazing windup that carried Gilas to a third win against a one loss.

Gilas takes a shot at the lead when it tangles with reigning FIBA Asia champion Iran in a key game at 1 p.m. Thursday.

USA Select-Overtake ended Iran’s perfect run here with an 81-66 rout earlier in the day.

Calvin Warner, a recent Globalport import in the PBA, erupted for 34 points that went with 12 rebounds and four assists as the Americans dealt the Iranians a first loss in five games. Things became a lot easier for the Americans with Iran opting to rest 7-foot-2 star center Hamed Haddadi.

In preparation for Haddadi and Iran, the Gilas coach, meanwhile, rested Asi Taulava and Sonny Thoss along with Dondon Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag.

With a smaller but younger and quicker lineup, Gilas made it two in a row with amazing young gun Terrence Romeo again leading the way with game-high 16 points.

Jason Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo and Moala Tautuaa put in 10 points apiece for Gilas which sent the Japan side down on its knees on a 29-16 battering in the closing period.

Tautuaa got past 6-foot-10 Japanese center twice for two-handed jams then Castro, De Ocampo, Gary David and Gabe Norwood strung up five straight triples to highlight their searing fourth-quarter romp.

“It’s a big step forward on what the team wants to achieve. We’re getting better but not good enough yet to win FIBA Asia,” said Baldwin.

“Our second half (against Japan) was the best basketball we’ve played. In the first half, we played good defense. In the second half, we did a good job on both sides of the floor,” Baldwin also said.

“We played as a team and that’s the most important part,” said Tautuaa, holding the fort with Taulava and Thoss resting, coming through with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Baldwin could only wish Tautuaa is eligible as a regular member of the national team for the Fiba Asia meet. The Fil-Tongan player is merely a backup naturalized player to Andray Blatche.

Baldwin also expressed concern on Blatche’s continued absence. He said: “Andray’s situation is that his heart and spirit is with the team but his body isn’t.”

The Filipinos sized up the Japanese through three quarters then poured everything in the payoff period, pulling away from a 46-44 count.

Romeo and Tautuaa provided the initial spark on offense while the whole team worked on a solid job together on the defense end, limiting the Japanese to only two points in the first five and a half minutes of the last quarter.

The scores:

GILAS PILIPINAS 75 – Romeo 16, Tautuaa 10, De Ocampo 10, Castro 10, Norwood 9, David 8, Intal 3, Pingris 3, Rosario 2, Ganuelas 2, Ramos 0.

JAPAN 60 – Takeuchi 15, Hiejima 12, Furukawa 6, Tabuse 6, Kanamaru 5, Mitsuhara 4, Hirose 2, Arao 2, Hachimura 0, Hashimoto 0.

Quarters: 11-10, 29-25, 46-44, 75-60