Pagpupugay 1954: Philippines opens FIBA World campaign with win over Paraguay

Editor's Note: #Pagpupugay1954 is a series paying tribute to the Philippine national basketball team to the 1954 FIBA World Championship, which featured the best-ever finish by an Asian team in any world basketball competition. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the historic campaign, GMA News Online will release a series of stories following the exploits of the squad as if they were happening in real time. 
 

 

23 October 1954

 

The Philippine national team overcame a slow start before riding a second half explosion to escape Paraguay, 64-52, to open the preliminary round of the FIBA World Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

Trailing 26-27 at halftime, the gallant Filipinos shot the lights out with 38 points in the second half to clinch their first win in Group A.

 

The Philippines once again leaned on "The Big Difference" Caloy Loyzaga, who led the Philippines with 15 points. Forward Mariano Tolentino finished with 14 points, while guard Antonio Genato chipped in 13.

 

Paraguay's Antonio Zapattini led all scorers with 22 points while Aristides Isusi tossed in 17, but the duo received little offensive support from the rest of their teammates. Only four players scored all game for Paraguay.

 

But coach Herminio "Herr" Silva may be alarmed by the subpar performance of the Philippines from the free throw line. The Filipinos shot just 16-of-30 (53 percent) from the charity stripe, while their South American counterparts shot 22-of-28 (78.6 percent).

 

The Philippine team features many stalwarts from the same team that ruled the 1954 Asian Games with a sweep of the tournament. Completing the lineup are team captain Lauro Mumar, Francisco Rabat, Nap Flores, Ben Francisco, Rafael Barreto, Pons Saldana, Florentino Bautista, Ramon Manulat, and Bayani Amador.

 

The Philippines continues its preliminary round campaign on October 24 against host Brazil.

 

In the day's other game, powerhouse United States drubbed Canada, 57-39.  — Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News

 

The scores:

 

Philippines (64) - Loyzaga 15, Tolentino 14, Genato 13, Rabat 5, Bautista 4, Mumar 4, Flores 3, Saldana 3, Amador 3, Manulat 0, Barreto 0, Francisco 0.

 

Paraguay (52) - Zapatini 22, Isui 17, Bogado 7, Bendlin 4, Amarilla 2, Calcena 0, Coscia 0, Mongelos 0, Yegros 0, Olavarrieta 0, Abente 0, Gorostiaga 0

 

Halftime: 26-27