Iran, hounded and horrified by a strong Team Gilas Pilipinas, escapes with a 68-63 win in Incheon South Korea Asian Games 2014. Pilipinas Basketball team led mostly throughout the 3rd and 4th quarters before losing steam in the deciding minutes. Paul “Angas ng Tondo” Lee showed brilliance with 11 markers. Marcus “Big Daddy” Douthit spearheaded with monstrous 10 points paired with 10 boards. LA “El Tinyente” Tenorio meanwhile chipped-in 10 points as well.

Nikkhah Bahrami and Hamed Haddadi led Iran by 21 and 20 points apiece. The Pinoys led by as much as 7 points by the 6 minutes final quarter mark. What appeared to be a won-ballgame for the RP Five fizzled due to turnovers in the 4th canto gifting the West Asian power 8-0 blast in the dying minutes.

Perhaps the national clamor to give Junmar “The Kraken” Fajardo more gametime backfired with the giant Filipino continually struggling to turnovers in crunch time. Douthit was only reinserted when the Iranians had snatched the lead.

The game was tied at 63 ALL with 1:31 remaining in the ballgame. RP quintet had the chance to snatch the ballgame but was unable to convert a three with Marcus Douthit unfortunately taking the duty trey himself. Jimmy “Mighty Mouse” Alapag failed to get a goal the entire game courtesy to brilliant Iran scouting and defense against the Filipino gem.

Iran raced to a 29-17 big 1st quarter lead with the Philippine Basketball Team losing steam by shooting only 31% in field goals and dishing out 0 assist.