Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas got off to a rousing start to its FIBA Asia Champions Cup campaign, dispatching BC Astana of Kazakhstan, 73-65, in an impressive win on Friday night at the Chenzhou Sports Center in China.
Naturalization prospect Isaiah Austin impressed in his first game wearing the Philippine colors, scoring 17 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks as his interior defense sparked the team’s comeback from 11 points down.
Kiefer Ravena top-scored for the Philippines with 22 points while Jett Manuel chipped in 10 markers.
Despite the lack of preparation time, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas stunned the Kazakh club with a 7-0 start. The long-bodied 7’1″ Austin, an honorary NBA pick in 2014, quickly made his presence felt as his excellent shotblocking ability intimated the opponents.
But Kazakhstan, which made eight triples in the first half, got its bearings back, with a 12-0 run in the second period putting the Philippine squad in a 40-29 hole in the second period.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas retaliated in the third frame, with its Austin-powered defense limiting Astana to just 12 points. Ravena’s and-one plus Jeric Teng’s three-pointer handed them back the lead, 57-53.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas enojyed a 65-57 lead with just 4:54 left but Astana didn’t back down, burying back-to-back triples to shave its deficit to just two points.
But a big steal plus layup by LA Revilla followed by an Austin short jumper helped Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas regain control.
Up next for the Philippine squad is a match against Sareyyet Ramallah of Palestine on Saturday.
