By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Angola scored an 84-81 overtime win over the Philippines in a 2019 FIBA World Cup Group D affair effectively for Group N of the classification round for spots between 17th and 32nd place. The pair of national teams were tied 73-73 at the end of the fourth quarter.
Valdelicio Joaquim finished with a team-high 20 points behind 6/10 field goals, also took down 7 boards. Yanick Moreira was clutch in the extra period adding on his 12-point, 15-rebound double-double, Reggie Moore also poured 12 points.
Carlos Morais picked up his game down the stretch to finish with 11 points. “I am always ready to help my team win games” noted the 33-year-old guard. “It was not a great game for me, but I had the support to do my best.”
The Angolans dropped a 12-point lead they built early in the fourth quarter. Despite holding their opponents to 4/33 beyond the arc up to their 61-49 advantage, the African national team lost defensive focus, only to scrabble victorious in overtime.
“We controlled most of the match, but credit to them for making that run and making their way back to the game” head coach Walter Costa took out after the contest. “We kept giving them second chances and that made it hard for us.”
Andray Blatche notched a double-double early ending up with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 rejection in 42:20. Jaymar Perez followed with 17 points and after the game admitted: “We needed that win to have a chance for the Olympics.”
Yeng Guiao’s side lost the country’s undefeated run against African teams in the World Cup on Wednesday at Foshan, China. The Philippines had won the three previous contests.
“We are disappointed, but it is a good feeling we gave ourselves the chance to win the game” said the losing side’s head coach in the post-game press conference. “Not making our three-point shots was frustrating. One or two more would have made the difference.”
“I was not really sure for two traveling calls against us” added 60-year Guiao commenting on couple of late calls from the referees.
Angola will tip off the next set of matches with a 1-2 W-L record. In contrast, the Gilas will travel to Beijing with a 0-3 tally from the first round.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL