Boomers add another brick on the Road to Qatar

Perth. Monday Night. FIBA World Cup qualifiers. What a combination.

A heaving crowd of 10,037 (complete with a loyal Pilipino contingent) poured life into Boomers vs Gilas contest well before tip-off at RAC Arena.

It was the Boomers that continued their hot streak with a convincing 92 - 49 win over the Philippines. 

There were early indicators it was going to be a battle.

Australia started with the same Starting 5 featuring Tyrese Proctor, Taran Armstrong at guard, and a versatile group of bigs with captain Jack McVeigh, Mitch Creek and Alex Condon.

Creek was an early factor on the boards and converted his looks. The Boomers worked into the game to open up a variety of looks.

And as the case was every weekend in Perth for a decade. Bryce Cotton found a way to create his own.

The Wildcats / 36ers champion was his dynamic best shooting at 100% as the Boomers quickly opened a 14-point gap. He had 13 at the half and finished with 21 points, five assists.

WA young gun Alex Condon enjoyed a few battles with Gilas big man June Mar Fajardo and more than held his own against the 6’11” centre.

The game broke into a defensive skirmish and scoring slowed in quarter two. Jackies forward Josh Bannan enjoyed the physical contest and was a problem for Gilas trying to stem the rebounding advantage.

It wasn’t pretty. But the Boomers retained their lead with 41 – 27 at the half.

The weapons started firing for the Boomers at the start of the second half. Proctor, McVeigh and Cotton continued to push the pace and pushed the lead beyond 20.

Australia drove that momentum ‘til the end. A professional Boomers win over the Gilas 92 - 49 in Perth to close out Round One of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Aussie. Aussie. Aussie.