Iran coach downplays win over Blatche-less Gilas

TAIPEI – After a virtual rest against USA Select-Overtake the previous day, Iran returned in full force and restamped its class on Gilas Pilipinas, 74-65, Thursday in the 2015 Jones Cup invitational basketball tournament at the Xinchuang Gymnasium here. 

Seven-foot-2 center Hamed Haddadi came back from a respite against the Americans Wednesday and anchored the Iranians’ efficient, solid job on both ends, leading to a fifth win against a lone defeat.

Haddadi, an NBA veteran, dominated with game highs of 22 points and 15 rebounds, with Hamed Afagh, Mohammad Jamshidi, Farid Aslani and Mahdi Kamrani also putting in sterling efforts as the Iranians extended their mastery of Gilas Pilipinas dating back to the 2012 Stankovic Cup in Japan.

The Filipinos last won against the tall, hefty and cohesive Iran side during their faceoff in the 2012 edition of this invitational tournament here. But Iran was without Haddadi then.

Operating better offensively and defensively, Haddadi and the Iran team got past the Filipinos once again and enhanced their bid to reclaim the Jones Cup crown they last won in 2013.

Gilas Pilipinas, the 2012 champ, virtually moved out of contention for the title with a second loss against three wins.

But both sides played down the outcome of the game, saying the true battle will be in Changsha, China late this month.

Iranian coach Dirk Bauermann and Gilas mentor Tab Baldwin agreed the outcome of the game can’t be a gauge on their rematch in the FIBA Asia meet, saying both squads will surely be better in the Changsha joust.

Bauermann mentioned the absence of Andray Blatche in the Gilas lineup while Baldwin cited Samad Bahrami as another major force they have to deal with in Changsha.

Bahrami, for the longest time now considered the deadliest all-around player in Asia, is not present hear, opting to heal a minor injury in Tehran.

But just Haddadi, Afagh, Jamshidi, Farrid Aslani and Kamrani proved enough to carry the Iranians past Gilas.

"We're still some ways to go as far as being a team is concerned. I thought we lost our discipline out there," said Baldwin.

Down by four at 61-65 with 3:41 to go, the Nationals committed crucial defensive lapses that the Iranians pounced on in a decisive nine-to-nothing attack that sealed their win.

But Bauermann insisted both teams just sized up one another.

“The most important thing is to keep improving and keep getting better,” said Bauermann.

For Gilas Pilipinas, there’s Andray Blatche – and possibly Jordan Clarkson – to count on in their Changsha rematch.

“Andray’s returning, we’ll have him play and see what it looks like. But today’s game is today’s game. No excuse, we’re not looking for Blatche to solve our discipline breakdown,” said Baldwin.

An anxious moment for the Filipinos was Terrence Romeo hurting his left ankle on a scramble in the last play in the third quarter.

He limped out of the floor and was attended by Gilas physical therapist Dexter Aseron. Ice was applied on his injury then he was able to return to the game with only 2:43 left to play.

Asi Taulava, back for another Jones Cup stint at 42, had some bright moments in his matchup with Haddadi, leading Gilas with 12 points and eight rebounds.

JC Intal and Jayson Castro fired away two three-points each and both finished with a total of 10 markers.

The scores:

Iran 74 - Haddadi 22, Afagh 13, Farid 9, Jamshidi 9, Kamrani 7, Mohammad 5, Davarpan 4, Davari 2, Kardoust 2

Philippines - Taulava 12, Intal 10, Castro 10, Romeo 8, Tautuaa 7, Abueva 6, Pingris 4, Hontiveros 3, Norwood 2, Ganuelas Rosser 2, Thoss 1, De Ocampo 0

Quartescores: 17-14; 34-31; 54-47; 74-65