AIS Men fall to Philippines

The Philippines national men's team took a second scalp on their Australia tour by downing the AIS men's team 79-73 in Canberra on Tuesday night.

The young AIS side staged a comeback in the final quarter but could not peg back the margin to take the win.

2009 Boomers squad member Jason Cadee and Mitch McCarron top-scored with 22 points apiece, Cadee added four assists while McCarron grabbed seven rebounds.

C Slaughter led the Philippines with 16 points of 7-of-9 shooting from the field, grabbed five rebounds and four blocks.

After being down by as much as eight points in the opening quarter, the AIS pulled back to within three at the first break 19-16.

The AIS scored the first eight points in the second quarter, forging a five point lead. Some terrific defence from the Philippines brought them back into the game and some missed shots from the AIS let the visitors out to a four-point lead at halftime.

The third term went all the way of the Philippines who got out to a 14-point lead but the AIS made some tough shots down the stretch and went into the final quarter facing a 10-point deficit 63-53.

It was toe-to-toe in the final quarter before the AIS started to chip away at the lead with some great rebounding from Emu Igor Hadziomerovic giving the Australians plenty of opportunities. A McCarron three had the AIS within three points but the Philippines iced it from the charity stripe for the six point win.

The teams must regroup before a rematch at 6.00pm AEDT tonight (Wed March 17). You can follow the game with LIVESTATS.

[Box Score]

PHILIPPINES 79 (C Slaughter 16, A Barroca 12, H Tiu 12) def
AIS 73 (J Cadee 22, M McCarron 22, I Hadziomerovic 9)
At AIS Training Hall

Tour Schedule:
(click on the games below for LIVE STATS)

Wednesday 17 March: Philippines v AIS – 6.00pm at AIS Training Hall, Canberra
Thursday 18 March: Philippines v Canberra Gunners – 6.00pm Belconnen Basketball Stadium, Canberra
Friday 19 March: Philippines v NSWIS – 7.00pm (game not open to public), Sydney
Sunday 21 March: Philippines v Sydney City – 3.00pm at Alexandria Basketball Stadium

Photo courtesy of FIBA.com