J
Jeanh
Guest
Gilas Pilipinas' courage and composure were tested when they collided against the rough-playing Russians at the William Jones Cup on Tuesday.
But they never backed down and even outscored the taller and more experienced team that had already defeated South Korea, New Zealand and Team USA.
“It’s a good experience and good win for the team,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. “Had they backed down from them, they would have to confront me.”
Gilas pummeled the Russians in the second half, leading by as many as 19 points, 84-65, before completing an 85-71 win that sent Gilas back in contention in the nine-team, eight-nation tourney.
But before getting there, the Filipino got roughed up by their heftier foes.
Russians Aleksei Goliakhov and Alimdzhan Fediushin and Terrence Romeo were all called a technical foul after the melee sparked by a hard foul by Goliakhov on the Gilas rookie playmaker.
In an earlier play, Sonny Thoss also sustained a cut on his head on a wayward elbow by Fediushin. Five staples were used to close the cut and Thoss sat out the rest of the game.
Fortunately, the Filipinos got their act together and produced their finest performance yet.
Ranidel de Ocampo fired three treys and top scored with 13 points, Romeo contributed 11 markers while Calvin Abueva, Matt Ganuelas and Moala Tautuaa added 10 apiece in the best game dished out by Gilas.
“Everybody had to play. They made mistakes. Our game was not polished but everybody stepped up and contributed,” said Baldwin.
“What I liked the most was that we played with our roles – the shooters getting their shots, the rebounders getting the rebounds. From that standpoint, it’s a team win,” Baldwin also said.
De Ocampo, Romeo, Abueva, Ganuelas, Tautuaa, Asi Taulava, JC Intal, Aldrech Ramos, Troy Rosario and Dondon Hontiveros came up with remarkable efforts, while Gary David, Jason Castro, Marc Pingris and Gabe Norwood took their turn to rest.
Thoss was limited to two minutes due to an injury sustained at the outset of the game. Jimmy Alapag, on the other hand, played just a little over five minutes.
Taulava held the fort on the exit of Thoss, putting in seven points, six rebounds and one assist.
But they never backed down and even outscored the taller and more experienced team that had already defeated South Korea, New Zealand and Team USA.
“It’s a good experience and good win for the team,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. “Had they backed down from them, they would have to confront me.”
Gilas pummeled the Russians in the second half, leading by as many as 19 points, 84-65, before completing an 85-71 win that sent Gilas back in contention in the nine-team, eight-nation tourney.
But before getting there, the Filipino got roughed up by their heftier foes.
Russians Aleksei Goliakhov and Alimdzhan Fediushin and Terrence Romeo were all called a technical foul after the melee sparked by a hard foul by Goliakhov on the Gilas rookie playmaker.
In an earlier play, Sonny Thoss also sustained a cut on his head on a wayward elbow by Fediushin. Five staples were used to close the cut and Thoss sat out the rest of the game.
Fortunately, the Filipinos got their act together and produced their finest performance yet.
Ranidel de Ocampo fired three treys and top scored with 13 points, Romeo contributed 11 markers while Calvin Abueva, Matt Ganuelas and Moala Tautuaa added 10 apiece in the best game dished out by Gilas.
“Everybody had to play. They made mistakes. Our game was not polished but everybody stepped up and contributed,” said Baldwin.
“What I liked the most was that we played with our roles – the shooters getting their shots, the rebounders getting the rebounds. From that standpoint, it’s a team win,” Baldwin also said.
De Ocampo, Romeo, Abueva, Ganuelas, Tautuaa, Asi Taulava, JC Intal, Aldrech Ramos, Troy Rosario and Dondon Hontiveros came up with remarkable efforts, while Gary David, Jason Castro, Marc Pingris and Gabe Norwood took their turn to rest.
Thoss was limited to two minutes due to an injury sustained at the outset of the game. Jimmy Alapag, on the other hand, played just a little over five minutes.
Taulava held the fort on the exit of Thoss, putting in seven points, six rebounds and one assist.
