JV Casio delivered the killer punch—a three-pointer from the side— that finally took the fight from a Kuwait squad that even posted a nine-point lead at one time.

With the win, the Nationals advanced to the second round where Group F qualifiers Iran, Japan, Qatar and Chinese Taipei await them.

The winner of the India-Afghanistan match today will complete the Group F cast which will play a single round in the next phase, with the top four teams advancing to the crossover quarterfinals.

June Navarro, Phil. Daily Inquirer

Casio’s triple put the Filipinos safely ahead, 72-65, and capped a determined PH rally from a 59-57 Kuwait lead going into the last quarter.

Marcio Lassiter earlier drilled a triple from the corner as the Nationals forged in front again at 64-62.

But the Kuwaitis, who forced Smart Gilas to 11 turnovers and grabbed 14 offensive boards, kept on coming back.
Kelly Williams made it 69-62 with five straight points capped by a putback of his own miss, but Albrahim knocked down a triple to make it 65-69 entering the last two minutes.

Then came Casio’s crucial trey.

Lassiter went four of nine from the trifecta territory and paced Smart Gilas with 18 points while Mac Baracael and Casio added 12 and 11 each.

Williams finished with nine points and 10 boards while Asi Taulava added10 points and eight rebounds.

The Filipinos face Asian champion Iran on Tuesday at the start of the second round.

The scores:
SMART GILAS 76—Lassiter 18, Baracael 12, Casio 11, Taulava 10, Tiu 10, Williams 9, Mercado 5, Barroca 3, Lutz 2, Slaughter 0, Ballesteros 0.
KUWAIT 69—Albaloushi 20, Albrahim 18, Alrabah 8, Mohammad 8, Ashkanani 6, Saeed 6, Alhamidi 3.
Quarters: 14-16, 41-37, 57-59, 76-69