Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes lauded the national team’s defense in its big win over Jordan, noting that its efforts on the floor keyed the pivotal second half breakaway for the 74-66 victory.
Trailing by four, 41-37, at the break, the Filipinos came out of the dugout in the second half laser-focused on putting the clamps on the formidable Jordanian side which leaned on the one-two punch of big man Ahmad Al Dwairi and naturalized player Dar Tucker in the first half.
The Gilas defense showed its teeth in the third quarter and limited Jordan to just four points in roughly eight minutes of action, allowing the national team to establish an eight point lead, 53-45, which it never relinquished until the final buzzer.
“Obviously we are happy with the result for the game. We focused on defense being able to stop their main players,” said Reyes, whose Gilas managed to limit both Tucker and Al Dwairi in the final two quarters after they carried much of the load for Jordan in the first half.
Tucker still finished with 23 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field although he had to bleed for his points in the second half especially against quick and lengthy defenders in CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos and Jamie Malonzo.
Al Dwairi on the other hand still had his usual numbers of 18 points and 16 rebounds but was obviously bothered by Ange Kouame, Japeth Aguilar and Kai Sotto on the defensive end, evident on his 10 turnovers.
The brilliant defensive showing also fueled the run in the final frame as Gilas built the largest lead at 13.
“I think the result was we were able to hold them below 70 points so I think that speaks well to our ability to defend. We thought the defense carried us to victory,” Reyes said of the hard-earned win – something that he already expected especially against Jordan, which are looking to secure their spot to the global showpiece next year.
“We knew it's going to be a tough game. We have very high respect for the Jordanian basketball team. We played them so many time already in the past,” he added.