RP BEATS CHINA IN DO-OR-DIE BATTLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Jul 2007
The Philippine National Team defeated China 79-74 in a do-or-die battle that kept our hopes of advancing to the quarter finals of the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championships after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Iran in their opening game of what has been described as “The Group of Death.” The Philippines must beat Jones Cup champions Jordan on Monday to advabce to the quarter finals.
Down by 11 points at the half and 12 at the end of the third quarter the nationals played their hearts out behind the heroics of point guard Jimmy Alapag whose fearless drives to the basket and huge three point shots in crucial moments inspired teammates Kelly Williams, Kerby Raymundo, Asi Taulava and in the
endgame Mark Caguioa who made some clutch baskets to seal the win.
Down 19-25 the Filipinos closed to within three with a huge triple by Caguioa but loose defense enabled Wang Bo to bury three triples in a row that gave China a 41-27 lead before Dondon Hontiveros answered with a triple of his own and Alapag hit two big threes and free foul throws to end the half down by 11 at 49-38.
The nationals pressing half-court defense began to take its toll on the rattled young Chinese squad and when Alapag scored on the break after forcing a turnover and then another turnover forced by a crippling defense which saw the 24 second shot clock run out on the Chinese an Alapag triple followed by a Williams highlight reel slam dunk made it 57-55 before the tiny point guard with a big heart made one of two free throws to edge to within one, 57-56 as the Chinese appeared to be completely rattled.
JayJay Helterbrand who came in for Alapag gave the Philippines the first taste of the lead at the start of the fourth quarter and after China scored on a three point shot to regain the lead 60-58 Helterbrand scored again to tie the count at 60-60. Raymundo then picked up his offensive game showing the same heart he demonstrated in the losing cause against Iran to give the Philippines a 68-62 lead and when the Filipinos forced another turnover Chinese coach Adiljan sued for time. Two quick baskets by China including a wide open forced coach Chot Reyes to call a crucial timeout. With 2:43 remaining.
Alapag made an amazing three point shot from way out and Caguioa drove to the hoop and nailed a floater to ease the pressure somewhat 73-67. After China scored on two free throws Caguioa came to the rescue once again with a clutch basket to give the Filipinos a 75-71 spread with 47 seconds to play. An offensive foul by Taulava saw the Chinese send shivers down the spine of the Filipino fans led by BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president and chairman Manny Pangilinan, PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas and Commissioner Noli Eala but Caguiao courageously drove to the basket and scored to make it 77-74 time down to 3:6 seconds before a tremendous interception by Williams who was a tower of strength at both ends of the court was fouled, cooly sank both free throws to spark scenes of jubilation among the Filipinos.
The victory avenged the Philippines loss to China’s “B” Team in the recent Smart Four-National Invitational which the nationals won with impressive victories over Syria and Lebanon. It also in some measure answered the criticism of Chinese coach Adiljan who said the Filipinos didn’t play as a team and would never beat China even as he claimed his “B” team was made up of players under 19 years of age although he had two players whose stats showed they were 26 and 28 years of age.
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