By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
American import Willie Warren scored 30 points to lead Petrochimi Iran to an 87-66 demolition of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
With the win, Iran clinches the Group A top-seed in the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
The Iranian squad had a big 27-15 second quarter to finish the 1st half with a 43-29 lead.
Team Pilipinas did not back down though, playing toe-to-toe against the much taller and bigger Iranian squad, and cutting the lead down to 10 ,66-56, from as much as 18 during a 4th quarter rally.
But Petrochimi Iran answered with a massive 14-0 run to finally put away the pesky Philippine squad.
With the loss, Team Pilipinas drops to 3rd place in Group A and will face the tough Xinjiang Flying Tigers of host China in the knockout quarterfinals on Thursday.
Xinjiang will be led by former NBA and current Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche.
Iranian guard Sajjad Mashayekhi contributed 15 points.
Benham Yakhchali added 12 markers.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas meanwhile was led by American import Isaiah Austin, with his 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Former Ateneo star guard Kiefer Ravena was the only other player to reach double digits, 20 points.
He dished out 5 assists.