Iran vs. Gilas Pilipinas: Score and Twitter Reaction for 2014 Asian Games

Gilas Pilipinas still can't beat Iran. The Philippines squad suffered a five-point loss at the 2014 Asia Games on Thursday, succumbing 68-63 to a team Gilas hasn't defeated since 2012.

Two ace centers, Iran's Hamed Haddadi and Pilipinas star Marcus Douthit featured in the game's decisive action. Basketball in Asia blogger Nick Bedard detailed the late action:

That brought to an end an intense contest between two prime contenders for gold in Incheon.

Indeed, the strength and quality of the competition between these two nations was reflected in the pre-game build-up, which had a heavyweight feel to it. Each team was obviously acutely aware that the other was their biggest rival at these games.

Haddadi had identified Gilas as the squad to fear, per Bedard (h/t Philippine Daily Inquirer writer Francis T.J. Ochoa):

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Noted basketball blogger Nick Bedard reported that after Iran’s triumph over India, star center Hamed Haddadi was asked by a Korean reporter what he thought about the host squad.

'I’m only concerned about the Philippines,' replied Haddadi.

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It probably will have pleased Haddadi to know he was causing just as much concern in the Gilas camp. Douthit had promised to slow towering sensation Haddadi down, per InterAksyon.com:

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Only thing you can do is to stop the players around him. For the most part, we just gotta stop everyone else and let everyone else beat us. They can’t bring the ball up if Haddadi can’t get the ball so that’s the first thing that we have to be worried about.

At the same time, I’ve gotta be way more aggressive than I had in the past against him just to try get him tired

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The ball game was as closely fought as expected. Although Douthit didn't wear Haddadi down, the 7'2" center can be grateful for the support he received from Mohammad Samad Nikkah Bahrami.

The skilled skipper consistently drew fouls and then punished the Philippines with some clutch points from free throws in the fourth quarter. Ochoa detailed one key exchange:

Bahrami was ruthless in fully exploiting his uncontested shots at the basket:

Thanks to Bahrami, Haddadi and savvy guard Mahdi Kamrani, Iran were firmly in control for much of the early exchanges. However, Gilas managed to battle back thanks to the efforts of players such as Paul Lee and LA Tenorio.

Lee amassed 11 points, while Tenorio earned 10 and also added a pair of assists and steals, per SmartGilasBasketball.com. Away from the individual highlights, blogger Mico Hallili provided game statistics:

Gilas certainly reduced its turnovers, something captain Jimmy Alapag had identified as a key to this game, per Ochoa's article in the Inquirer. In fact, many of the numbers favoured the Philippines.

That's why Alapag and his teammates will be left to rue the early damage inflicted by Iran. Haddadi and company jumped into a 12-point lead heading into the second period:

Constantly working to overhaul a deficit clearly took its toll on Gilas. Although the team battled to within two at the half and even took the lead headed into the fourth, the effect of that effort began to show.

That probably explains why the fouls totted up during the final quarter as Pilipinas players desperately tried to keep Iran at bay.

Despite the defeat, Gilas has still earned a berth in the quarter-final stage. However, Iran proved it is still the squad to beat at the Asiad.