Romeo bails Gilas out in stunner vs China

— There was no Andray Blatche. Neither was June Mar Fajardo on the floor. Heck, Gilas even lost Calvin Abueva early in the game.

But the Philippines went on to stun the FIBA Asia Cup defending champions China, 96-87 — all behind a stellar fourth quarter showing by Terrence Romeo the FIBA Asia Cup Wednesday at the Nouhad Nawfal Gymnasium in Beirut, Lebanon. 

Gilas put distance between themselves and the Chinese in the first half, leading their foes by as many as 17 points off a sweet shooting. 

But the Chinese — tormentors of the Filipinos in the 2015 iteration of the meet — managed to close the gap and even take the lead for the first time with 5:38 left on the game clock.

Raymond Almazan (left) and Calvin Abueva gang up on China's Gen Li during Gilas' debut in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon. | FIBA.com Photo

Romeo emptied 12 of his 26 game-high points in that crucial frame, capitalizing on Guo Ailun’s absence, who fouled out with four minutes remaining.

Christian Standhardinger and Matthew Wright, who posted 15 and 12 points, respectively, put the finishing touches on the win that took two years in the making.

Ailun—Jordan brand's first Asian endorser—topscored China with 18 markers.

Gilas collectively made 10 of their 17 looks from the 3-point area, outgunning the notoriously sharp China, which only nailed 12 of their 30 attempts.

Fouls were also a factor in that early Gilas advantage. The Pinoys managed to draw 17 against the Asian powerhouse’s 18.

Turnovers also contributed to China’s doom as they committed 15 compared to the Philippines’ 12.

Gilas takes on Iraq next. They lock horns 9 p.m this Friday.

The Scores:

Philippines (96): Romeo 26, Standhardinger 15, Castro 13, Wright 12, Pogoy 9, Almazan 9, Aguilar 7, Norwood 3, Abueva 2, Cruz 0, Jalalon 0, Fajardo 0.

China (87): Guo 18, Zhou 17, Hu 13, Li G. 11, Liu 9, Wu 6, Han 4, Ren 4, Gu 3, Yu 2, Zeng 0, Li M. 0

Quarterscores: 26-16, 53-39, 76-70, 96-87.