MANILA, Philippines — With naturalized participant Justin Brownlee struggling mightily in a do-or-die sport FIBA Asia Cup in opposition to Iraq Sunday, guard Dwight Ramos supplied the spark wanted by Gilas Pilipinas.
Brownlee, who’s coming off an enormous 37-point efficiency in a loss in opposition to New Zealand earlier within the week, failed to attain in double digits in opposition to Iraq.
With the import struggling, Ramos stepped up, ending with 21 factors, 5 rebounds and an help. He made seven of his 14 makes an attempt from the sector, together with 3-of-7 from past the arc.
Ramos, after the sport, mentioned that after the Philippines’ flat begin, he simply grew to become extra aggressive.
“I imply, I used to be simply attempting to comply with the sport plan, and as we speak, , after we had been struggling slightly bit within the first quarter, I simply thought to myself that possibly I ought to pressure it slightly bit,” Ramos mentioned in an interview with One Sports activities, which was proven on RPTV.
“After which as soon as everybody began enjoying nicely, everybody began flattening pictures, so throughout it was a workforce win. Everybody performed nice to me, and the protection was good from the start, too,” he added.
The guard added that he all the time tries to play off of Brownlee, given the gravity the three-time PBA Finest Import of the Convention’s gravity.
“I already know all of the groups right here, if they are going to play the Philippines, their focus is on JB, so I simply take it like a chance to make use of JB’s presence there and simply play off of him,” he mentioned.
Brownlee had a dismal sport for the Philippines. He didn’t make a single subject purpose within the first half, going 0-of-6 within the first two quarters.
He hit his first subject purpose – a 3-pointer – within the third quarter. He then sank a layup that gave Gilas a 55-37 lead, the most important of the competition.
Brownlee completed with eight factors, seven rebounds, 4 assists and three steals in 33 minutes of play.
For his half, Gilas head coach Tim Cone mentioned that the workforce wants to make use of Brownlee, “not only a scorer”.
“We are able to play off of him. He does draw a lot consideration,” Cone informed reporters.
“He’s such an amazing participant. It’s straightforward to take a seat there and watch him play. And from a teammate standpoint, we’re all sitting round and watching him play as a result of he’s unbelievable. However now we have to proceed to discover ways to use him after they’re denying him as a result of meaning they’re not in place to assist after they’re double teaming him,” he added.
“There are occasions after we’re gonna get open. And guys simply gotta step up. [Dwight] did, he simply kinda stepped up and hit pictures. For probably the most half, we did that tonight.”
Gilas thus certified to the knockout stage of the event. Because the third-seeded workforce in Group D play, the Philippines must undergo the qualification spherical.
“So it was an enormous win for us. Simply to get any win at this level goes to be an enormous win for us as a result of we wanted one to get beneath our belt. We would have liked to have a win to type of rekindle our confidence, I feel, and so we’re comfortable to be transferring on,” Cone mentioned.
“We all know the street goes to be robust. We all know that we picked a more durable street to go, however, , we’re prepared to just accept that problem.”
