AN out-of-sync Gilas Pilipinas still came out a 77-71 winner over Japan at the start of its campaign in the Asian qualifiers of the 2019 Fiba World Cup late Friday at Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Gymnasium in Tokyo.
And it took the nationals the heroics of ever reliable Jayson Castro, arguably the region's best point guard, who scored five of Gilas' last seven points to help the team snare the scrambling win.
Castro ended up with 20 points, six assists and seven rebounds to lead the Philippines to the win.
Gilas looked like it had a firm grip of the game as it led by 23-10 early, only to lose the lead to the Japanese' patient plays.
The Philippines cut loose again at 70-60, but Japan's 9-2 run put the hosts to within 69-72.
Castro then answered with a three-pointer, while Roger Pogoy settled the issue with a layup as Gilas stormed to a 77-69 lead, with less than 30 seconds left.
Coach Chot Reyes hopes the team will do better when it faces Chinese Taipei Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
