TEHRAN (FIBA Asia Challenge 2016) – Jordan proved to be too big and too strong in trouncing spirited Philippines, 119-105, at the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016 in Tehran, Iran.

Showing the way both inside and outside, Jordan trampled on the Philippine defense early on and never got threatened in their bid to end their group round on a bright note. Dar Tucker, Mohammad Shaher Hussein and Mousa Al-Awadi combined for 84 points to pace Al Nashama, who have will tote a 3-2 record to the next round. They await the results of the other Group E matches to finalize their official seeding.

Turning Point: Gilas Pilipinas never led in this game, and a Filipino scoring drought in the middle of the first quarter gave Jordan the opportunity to pull away. Jordan ended the first period up by 12 and they never looked back.

Stats Don't Lie: Jordan frolicked on offense from practically everywhere. By game’s end, coach Sam Daghlas’s wards had shot 48.7% from the field, including hitting 12 three-pointers. That complemented their dominance in the paint, too, as proven by their edge in rebounding, 55-39. Gilas’s slow start was because of their starting five, which didn’t do well at all, totalling only 23 points compared to the 97 of Jordan’s starters.

Game Hero: Once again, Tucker shone the brightest for the Jordanians. The naturalized American put up another monster scoring display, dropping 37 points on 10-of-15 field goal shooting including 3 triples. He also added 6 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal and a block to his name. Tucker just continues to get better and better, and than can only be a good thing for Jordan.

The Bottom Line: This was exactly what Jordan needed ahead of the Quarter-Finals. Their official seeding still depends on the games between China and Chinese Taipei as well as the one between India and Kazakhstan, but, all things considered, Al Nashama have a ton of momentum and confidence heading into the next round. As for Gilas Pilipinas, this officially ends their tournament, placing them outside of the top eight for the first time in the event’s history.

FIBA