Ange Kouame and CJ Perez stole the show with 15 points each as four-time gold medallists, the Philippines overcame Bahrain 89-61 yesterday in their opening Group C game of the basketball competition in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
And Justin Brownlee joined in the fun, contributing 14 points to go along with nine rebounds as Bahrain lost their way after an impressive first quarter where they kept the Philippines in check with the South-East Asian team beginning the second quarter just four points in front at 22-18.
That was where the Philippines shifted gears as Perez stepped on the accelerator, scoring seven straight points with Bahrain visibly on the defensive.
The Philippines’ lead grew exponentially in that second quarter as they added 29 points to Bahrain’s 15 with the scoreboard reading 51-33 at half-time.
The break should have afforded Bahrain the chance to regroup but the Philippines had built up such impressive momentum that they continued to score points seemingly at will, adding 21 to Bahrain’s 14 in the third quarter.
The score was 72-47 when the final quarter began and Bahrain finally began to show some fight with several attacking moves and a tighter defence. But it was too little, too late, even though the kingdom’s team managed to restrict the Philippines to just 17 points while scoring 14 points themselves and the eventual losing margin of 28 points might come back to haunt Bahrain if the battle for qualification for the quarter-finals is decided on points difference.
Maitham Jameel was the standout for Bahrain, scoring 14 points to go along with three assists but there was little else for them to cheer about.
Bahrain are now third in the four-team table with one point after the first round of matches. Jordan, who defeated Thailand 97-63 yesterday, are first with two points, followed by the Philippines also with two points but second because of points difference while Thailand languish in fourth place.
The kingdom’s men will take on Jordan tomorrow in their second game which will start at 6.30am, Bahrain time.
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