Photo credit: FIBA | fiba.basketball
World no. 23 Dominican Republic escaped past the hosts, the Philippines, with a score of 87-81 in a very close match in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup group phase on Friday, August 25, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 38,115, a new FIBA Basketball World Cup attendance record, in Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Philippines. [VIDEO]
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Dominican Republic with a double-double of 26 points on 5-of-16 shooting including 15-of-16 from the free throw line to go with 10 rebounds in 24 minutes of play. Victor Liz finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals while Andres Feliz added 12 points, 6 rebouds, team-high 8 assists and a steal.
Jordan Clarkson led Gilas Pilipinas in a losing effort with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-24 shooting, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc and 9-of-11 from the line along with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 8 turnovers before fouling out with 3 minutes and 32 seconds left in the game. June Mar Fajardo held his own with 16 points (5/5fg, 6/8ft), 7 rebounds, and a block while Dwight Ramos had a solid 13 points (3/8fg, 2/3 3pts, 5/6ft), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Gilas shot 48% from the field (27/56fg), including 6-of-18 shooting from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Dominican Republic had 29 out of 73 field goals and made 6 out of 28 attempts from three-point range. Gilas went 21 out of 27 from the free-throw line, while the Dominicans made 23 out of 34 free throws.
Gilas Pilipinas will play its second group phase match against the world No. 41 Angola on Sunday, August 27th, at 8:00pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. [LIVE].
The scores:
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 87 - Towns 26, Liz 18, Feliz 12, Delgado 6, Montero 6, Vargas 5, Peña 5, Figueroa 5, Mendoza 2, Quiñones 2, Solano 0, Suero DNP.
PHILIPPINES 81 - Clarkson 28, Fajardo 16, Ramos 13, Edu 7, Pogoy 6, Thompson 5, Abando 2, Aguilar 2, Ravena 2, Malonzo 0, Sotto 0, Perez DNP.
Quarters: 22-18, 42-42, 66-64, 87-81. [GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [GAME STATS]
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