Gilas Pilipinas fends off Iran to open China pocket tourney

Gilas Pilipinas used a strong second half to hold off fellow World Cup-bound Iran, 76-65, in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in China on Thursday night.

Gilas now has a 1-0 win-loss card while Iran went 0-1 as the nationals continued their buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup here in Manila starting August 25.

Enjoying a slim 40-34 advantage after the halftime, Gilas stepped on the pedal in the third period with CJ Perez unleashing a personal 7-0 run to close out the frame leading by 13, 59-46.

Back-to-back and-one plays from Ray Parks Jr. and Calvin Oftana then sent the Philippines to a 22-point cushion, 69-47.

But Iran eventually caught up as it trimmed Gilas' lead down to 13, 69-56, before Chris Newsome sank two freebies for a 74-61 advantage in the final 1:22 minutes.

Promising high-flyer AJ Edu then sealed the win with a two-handed slam off an assist from Newsome, 76-65, as Gilas completed the victory.

Gilas will return to action right away on Friday against Senegal.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News