FIBA-Asia: RP shocks China in comeback win

The Philippines shocked China, 79-74, after overcoming an early 14-point deficit, in Sunday's game at the FIBA-Asia basketball tournament in Japan. It was the Filipinos' first win over the Chinese national team in about two decades. The Filipinos led the Chinese by six points, 73-67, with about one and half minutes to play but saw their lead whittled down to one, 75-74, with 18 seconds to go. Jimmy Alapag led the Filipinos' effort with 25 points. Mark Caguioa and Kerby Raymundo added 16 and 12 points, respectively. China was up 11 points over San Miguel-Team Pilipinas, 49-38, at halftime. The Chinese led by as much as 14 in the second quarter. But the Filipinos came up with a strong third quarter to narrow its deficit against China to a measly point, 57-58, at the end of the period. With about six minutes to go, San Miguel-Team Pilipinas led China by four points, 66-62. Both countries lost their opening games on Saturday, with Iran frustrating the Phillippines, 75-89, and Jordan stunning China, 78-65. Team Pilipinas will face Jordan on Monday. The FIBA-Asia Cup is the qualifying tournament for the basketball competition in next year's Beijing Olympics. -GMANews.TV