Livescore Basketball: Kai Sotto lift Philippines down Jordan

After a series of heartbreaks and disappointments, Philippines got their first away win over Jordan 74-66. Visit for other livescore basketball contents here!

The infamous learning experience is starting to pay off as the Philippines started their two-game Middle East trip on a high note, beating the Jordan team on their home turf in the fifth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson showcase his elite prowess on defense, rebounding, and his improved ability on playmaking as he led the national men’s basketball team to a second-half surge and denied the FIBA Asia Cup Top Four finish a victory and endangering them on a chances to next year’s world cup. 

Kai Sotto, the 7 ‘3 great wall also produced an outstanding outing of 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks despite having no practice and just came off straight from Australia. This is also the first victory of the national team in seven qualifying games against a team rated higher than them in the latest FIBA World rankings.

“Well, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes said. “We have very high respect for the Jordan basketball team. We’ve played them so many times already in the past.” 

The Philippines is currently ranked 41st, as they dropped from their former rank 33 – increased their record to 4-3 and took the solo third place in Group E, despite this game not mattering already as hosts automatically qualify for the World Cup. While Jordan, the 35th ranked team fell to 3-4 record and at the fourth spot, having an all-out battle for the last berth in next year’s World Cup.

“Obviously we’re very happy with the result, and for the game, we really focused on our defense, being able to stop their main players,” Coach Chot Reyes told reporters. “I think the result… We were able to hold them below 70 points, so I think that speaks well of our ability to defend. Our defense carried us to victory.”

After a sloppy first half that saw Jordan take the opportunity and became aggressive to the first 20 minutes with 41-37 lead over the Philippines, Reyes and the crew created huge adjustments and relied on the small ball system to limit Jordan’s big man and level the aggressiveness of the home team on the floor. Jordan just scored 4 points that led to the surge of Philippines lead to 58-51. In the entire second half, Jordan scored just 25 points while Philippines tallied 17 offensive rebounds and 11 steals to obliterate Jordan in front of their home fans.

Scores:

Philippines 74 — Sotto 16, Parks 13, Perez 11, Thompson 8, Pogoy 7, Ramos 5, Aguilar 5, Erram 4, Malonzo 3, Kouame 2, Oftana 0

Jordan 66 — Tucker 23, Al Dwairi 18, Bzai 9, H. Abbas 7, Ibrahim 6, Alhendi 3

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