Gilas blasts Iran to complete FIBA WC qualifiers home stand

Gilas Pilipinas’ Dwight Ramos goes for a layup against Iran’s Salar Monji during their game in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers fourth window on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. (Courtesy: FIBA)

Gilas Pilipinas unleashed a strong finishing kick to hack out a come-from behind 68-56 victory and seal a crucial sweep of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers fourth window on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Nationals once again overcame a slow start before capping off the win with a blazing 19-4 run to follow up their thrilling 82-81 overtime win over Jordan, completing a two-game home stand in front of a jampacked crowd.

The Philippines improved to an even 4-4 record for 12 points at No. 5 in the six-team Group E of the final qualifying round and fortified its bid to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

“This was a really special moment. Our goal is to make the World Cup. This gave us a big step forward,” national head coach Tim Cone said.

Juan Gomez De Liaño stepped up big time as he fired 16 points while manning Iran’s spitfire guard Mobin Sheikhi while Dwight Ramos also drained 16 markers and seven boards.

Kai Sotto pumped in another double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds even as frontcourt partner AJ Edu chipped in eight points, eight boards, and three blocks.

In his final game for the national squad, veteran big man June Mar Fajardo contributed six points, pouring those in the Nationals’ second-quarter surge that erased Iran’s 5-18 lead in the opening period.

Gomez De Liaño then kept the Gilas offense going in the third frame before Ramos and Edu spearheaded the team’s decisive endgame run.

Sheikhi led Team Melli with 21 points built on five triples but he was the lone double-digit scorer as the Filipinos were able to hold Mohammad Amini to just seven points on a sour 2-of-15 shooting clip and Matin Aghajanpour to six markers.

Iran suffered its second straight loss as it dropped to No. 3 with a 5-3 slate.

Earlier, Australia booked its World Cup spot after demolishing Jordan, 126-93.

Anthony Dell’Orso hit 19 points to lead four other players with double-digit output as the Boomers seized their eight win in as many games.

New Zealand also swept its fourth window assignment via a 126-74 rout of Syria behind a balanced assault.

Six players scored in twin figures led by Corey Webster with 22 points as the Tall Blacks climbed to solo second with a 6-2 card.

Similar to Iran, fellow Middle Eastern squads Jordan and Syria ended up winless in the window as they dropped to 5-3 and 2-6 at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively. — Jeremiah Sevilla