Dalistan, the official passport name of Rain or Shine stalwart Paul Lee, sparkled in his debut in a major international tourney, standing out with a clutch performance as the Nationals pulled off redemption against a team that shocked Gilas Pilipinas in the 13th FIBA Asia Championship at home turf at the MOA Arena last year.
The Nationals had some anxious moments in the third quarter but Dalistan sparked a massive Gilas fourth-quarter fightback, propelling the team to the decisive 14-point win.
Dalistan delivered a game-high 18 points, including three triples in a 21-4 assault launched by Gilas after blowing away a 16-point spread, 35-19, and falling behind, 44-50.
After reestablishing control at 65-54, the Nationals repelled one last Chinese Taipei uprising and sealed the win that put them in a good position to make the crossover semifinals either against China or Iran.
The Taiwanese clobbered the Rajko Toroman-mentored Jordan team, 85-63, on Day One Friday here, the same venue of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship where Gilas finished fourth behind China, Jordan and South Korea.
Also on Friday in Group A, titleholder Iran dumped Japan, 66-56, while host China massacred Indonesia, 105-37.
Gilas Pilipinas instantly rose to the top in Group B as the Nationals trounced the Taiwanese behind the solid performances of Dalistan, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo and LA Tenorio.
A new addition to the Gilas pool, Dalistan went 6-of-11 from the field and 2-2 from the stripe and also dished out four assists, underscoring his capability to play the international game.
David put in 16 points, De Ocampo and Tenorio added 11 apiece while naturalized player Marcus Douthit came up with 16 rebounds and eight markers, performing better against Chinese Taipei counterpart Quincy Davis.
As gunners Lu Chi-min and Liu Cheng found their touch, the Taiwanese raced ahead, 50-44, on a 15-0 blitz in the third.
Dalistan, however, pumped in a trey upon his return to the floor late in the third.
He rifled in another triple to start the fourth, before Jared Dillinger, De Ocampo and David drained clutch baskets as the Nationals reestablished momentum and finished off the Tawainese with an 11-3 finishing kick.
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