Nagoya: Gilas Pilipinas leaned on Jerrick Ahanmisi and Robert Bolick to crush Kazakhstan, 109-78, and barge into the win column of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday night. Bolick, who turns 31 on Sunday, scored 13 of his 20 points in the first half, while Ahanmisi sustained the effort in the second half by firing 19 of his game-high 22 points at Aichi International Arena.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippines shot 55 percent from three-point range (16-of-29), with Bolick going 4-of-6 and Ahanmisi 7-of-11. Bolick redeemed himself after being held scoreless behind a 0-for-5 shooting from the floor in their 85-89 loss to Bahrain at the start of their title-retention bid on Friday afternoon.

Calvin Oftana again scored in double figures with 12 points, and Filipino-American guard Sedrick Barefield also atoned for a scoreless Asiad debut by adding 11 points. The win evened Gilas' record to 1-1 heading into its final Group C assignment against China on Monday.

The reigning champion's 31-point winning margin could serve as a significant advantage in its quest for a quarterfinals berth if the point differential will be applied. China defeated Bahrain, 105-59, for its second win and the first quarterfinal berth in Group C. Bahrain is tied with the Philippines, while Kazakhstan is out of the race at 0-2.

Zavier Lucero fell a rebound short of a double-double for Gilas with 10 points and nine rebounds. Adrian Nocum showed resilience despite a sprained ankle sustained late in the match against Bahrain, finishing with four points, three assists, and a rebound in 15 minutes of action.