GILAS GETS A LIFELINE FROM QATAR TO FINISH ON TOP OF ITS GROUP BUT NOW COMES THE HARD PART
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 08 Aug 2013
Gilas Pilipinas got a crucial lifeline from Qatar when the middle east country beat previously undefeated Chinese-Taipei 71-68 one day after losing 80-70 to the Philippines who solidified their hold on the top spot in Group E with an ugly 67-55 win over Hong Kong at the Mall of Asia Arena late Wednesday.
The twin results helped the Philippines avoid plunging into the troubled waters of a quarter final knockout game against the Chinese giants whose top center, former NBA player Yi Jianlian who sat out the last three games with a supposed injury, returned to score 12 points and pull down 6 rebounds in just under 13 minutes of action when China easily overcame Bahrain who missed their injured naturalized player CJ Giles in a 88-66 whipping.
With the Filipino fans cheering them on Qatar got a lift and opened up a 68-65 lead on a basket by naturalized former NBA veteran Jarvis Hayes with 3:33 remaining in the game before Chinese-Taipei?s naturalized star Quincy Davis scored, converted two free throws and then made one-of-two freebies to tie the count at 68-68 before Daoud Musa scored to give Qatar a 70-68 lead.
Chinese-Taipei missed on the next offensive and Hayes who was fouled made one-of-two charities to give Qatar a three-point spread 71-68 with 12.1 seconds remaining in the game putting pressure on Chinese-Taipei who needed a triple to send the game into overtime but Qatar hung tough to hand the Chinese-Taipei squad its first setback which sends them into a quarter final showdown with China on Friday while sparing the Philippines from a massive confrontation.
For Gilas Pilipinas who eventually sneaked in as the top team in Group E, the hard part in the quest for a coveted berth in the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year, begins when they face Kazakhstan.
Coach Chot Reyes recognized the toughness of their assignment when he said ?we know how dangerous the Kazakhstan team is. They are tall, they?re great shooters and they?ve got a great point guard? in naturalized player Jerry Johnson.
He said that ?now we are going to talk about and prepare for Kazakhstan starting with a coaches meeting and then practice tomorrow. It?s going to take our best on Friday to win. Our approach still hasn?t changed. We still have to be at our best.?
Reyes said Kazakhstan was ?a team we knew least about but now that we had an opportunity to play them (in a practice game before the tournament started which Gilas won on a last second triple by Jeff Chan) but added ? I?m sure both teams have forgotten about that game.?
Kazakhstan coach, Italian Matteo Boniciolli concedes that the Philippines ?is a very dangerous team because you are going to play a team with a great coach, a great team and a great crowd.? However, Boniciolli gives his team a fighting chance pointing out that ?when you don?t have anything to lose you can even play a great game as we did even against China.?
At the 1998 Asia Games, the Philippine Centennial team coached by Tim Cone won the bronze medal beating Kazakhstan 73-68 but in Busan, South Korea, the Philippines lost to Kazakhstan 68-66 in the battle for third place.
Gilas Pilipinas started off in lackadaisical fashion against Hong Kong and with two missed attempts by Larry Fonacier who started the game plus two turnovers saw Hong Kong race to a 7-0 leadbefore two converted free throws by Jayson Csstro Williams and a tnriple by Jeff Chan made it 5-9 and although a limping Marcus Douthit scored back-to-back baskets Hong Kong led 19-13 at tnhe end of the first quarter.
Hong Kong opened up a ten point lead 27-17 on a Chan Su Wing basket off a drop pass followed by two triples forcing Reyes to sue for time with 3:55 left in the second quarter before an 11-6 run by the Philippines trimmed Hong Kong?s lead to 5, 33-28 at the half.
A three point play by Chan gave Gilas its first taste of the lead at 36-34 but Chan Su Wing immediately answered with a tnriple to push Hong Kong in front by one, 37-36.
La Tenorio scored off a drive and then converted on a plus one situation when he was fouled to give Gilas Pilipinas a 43-39 lead but the gritty Hong Kong squad kept it close at 43-46 at the end of the third.
Another triple by Chan Su Wing forced Reyes to call a timeout with 4:07 left in the third and Gilas up 58-54.
A clutch basket by Gabe Norwood and a basket plus one after a steal by him pushed the Philippines in front b63-54with 2:40 remaining and when Jayson Castro Williams scored on the break the pressure eased with the Philippines ahead 65-54.
Duncan Reid converted one of two free throws before Marc Pingris grabbed a rebound and whirled around to score for the final 67-55 tally.
Despite noticeably hobbling and having to play more minutes than coach Reyes wanted him to, Douthit once again proved his worth with 13 points and 8 rebounds while Chan finished with 12 points including 3-of-5 triples and point guard Jayson Castro Williams added 11 points and 6 boards while Norwood who also was forced to play more minutes than coach Reyes wanted ended up with 11 points 6 rebounds and his usual sound defensive game.
Hong Kong outrebounded the Philippines 52-39 with Douglas Reid pulling down a total of 19 rebounds to go with his 12 points and warranting special mention from Gilas coach Chot Reyes.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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