Qatar go down to the Philippines 74-80 in FIBA Asia Cup

Beirut, Lebanon: The Philippines won their third win in a row, beating Qatar 80-74 and topped Group B at the FIBA Asia Cup here on Sunday.

The 2015 runners-up had already sealed their quarterfinal berth, but they went all out to quell the challenge from their opponents, who failed to win a single match in the group.

Defending champions China and Iraq are the other teams in the group.

Gilas Pilipinas came into this tournament in less-than-ideal fashion. They had barely any time to practice as a complete unit as they missed naturalised player Andray Blatche and country’s top centre June Mar Fajardo due to calf injury.

The Filipinos defied even their own expectations to book an outright seat in the last eight.