TAIPEI: With a single smart and energetic performance, Team Philippines just tilted the balance of power in the 34th Jones Cup basketball tournament.

Learning their lessons just a night before, the Filipinos played their finest game yet and upset defending champion Iran 77-75 yesterday to get back in the title hunt at the Taipei Physical Education College gym here.

Marcus Douthit won out in a memorable battle among big men underneath, and Gabe Norwood sustained his emergence as an offensive force as the duo led a hard-nosed stand that left the Iranians dumbfounded.

Douthit scattered 22 points and had 11 rebounds, and Norwood finished with 17 that went with nine boards, nailing a three-pointer with 1:11 left that gave the Filipinos a 74-69 lead.

But Norwood’s contributions weren’t only on the offensive end, as he stifled celebrated Iranian gunslinger Samad Bahrami to just three points in the first half when the Filipinos established their character by staying toe-to-toe with Iran.

In rising to 5-1 overall and tying the Iranians and the United States for the lead, the Philippines would just need to win its last two games – against Taipei-A today and the Americans tomorrow – to rule the tournament for the third time.

Iran’s only chance of retaining the championship rests on a sweep of its remaining two games, against Korea and Jordan, and the Philippines losing one of its last two.

The United States, which has ruled this event 13 times, will be denied even if it wins against the Philippines. Owning a win over the Americans, Iran will win the title if it wins its last two games.

“Today was a great way for us to bounce back, not just for ourselves, but (for) the country (which) was a bit down (after a 72-91 loss to Lebanon on Thursday),” Norwood, a former PBA Rookie of the Year with Rain or Shine, said.

“We stayed positive, aggressive (even after a loss).”

Douthit battled 7-foot-2 man-mountain Asghar Kardoust Poustin Saraei on even terms and came out on top as he stayed away from foul trouble for the first time while outscoring and outrebounding the entire Iranian center rotation.

“We bounced back from what happened yesterday (against Lebanon),” a smiling Douthit said. “We never put our heads down regardless of missed layups and free throws. Tonight, we showed the heart of our team and how far we can go.

“It feels good for me to finally beat Iran,” he continued. Jeff Chan again finished in twin digits with 12 for the Filipinos, the 1985 and 1998 champions who know that they are in for a tough grind against a talented Taiwanese team and a very hostile crowd.

“Right now we need to find some rest and a way to recover,” coach Chot Reyes said.

Bahrami still got away from the claws of the Philippine defense in the second half and finished with 26, including late baskets that kept the Iranians within range.

But the talented forward showed his ill sportsmanship by blasting the referees and refusing to give even a tinge of credit to the effort that the Filipinos came up with.

“How can one team, which lost to Lebanon by 30 (actually 19), come back to beat Iran, which beat Lebanon by 20,” Bahrami said in accusing the referees of helping the Philippine team. “The winner of this game is not true.”

Mahdi Kamrani, the starting point guard for Iran, missed the potential overtime-forging jumper at the buzzer. The former Olympian was also held to just five points by Sol Mercado and LA Tenorio.

Mercado had two missed wide-open layups but still came through with eight markers and three steals, while Gary David had two crucial jumpers that linked the third and fourth periods and helped the Philippines to a 63-51 lead.