Without Marcus Douthit, Gilas loses by four points to import-powered Wellington Saints The Philippine national men’s basketball team lost its second straight game in its New Zealand training tour, dropping a 100-96 result to the Wellington Saints on Tuesday at the Te Rauparaha Arena. Playing without naturalized center Marcus Douthit who was out with a bad back, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national squad fell prey to the Saints’ pair of import Bryant Markson and Kareem Johnson who scored 32 and 30 points, respectively, according to coach Chot Reyes The Philippines had a terrific start, leading by 10 points, 30-20, after the first quarter. Gilas was still in control, 92-86, with 4:08 remaining in the game, when Markson and Johnson teamed up for a 12-0 run. Gary David pushed the Philippines closer with a four-point play, 98-96, with 28 seconds left. Gilas sent Markson to the line where he split his free throws, but the Ranidel De Ocampo was unable to score in the ensuing play, allowing Wellington to escape with the victory. Gabe Norwood led Gilas with 13 points, David added 12, while Jeff Chan and Jimmy Alapag chipped in 11 apiece. Despite the loss, Reyes commended the effort of his big men. “Still, it was a great game. (June Mar Fajardo), (Japeth Aguilar), (Marc Pingris) held their own before they fouled out. We took a positive step despite the loss. Wanted to win for the Pinoy fans though,” he added. Gilas tries to bounce back on Wednesday when the team travels to Auckland to take on the South City Rangers, before wrapping up its New Zealand tour on Thursday with a showdown with the Tall Blacks national team. The tour is the final phase of the team’s buildup for the FIBA Asia Championship. Gilas will return to Manila to take on a selection of PBA players on July 24 and the Kazakhstan national squad on July 26 before the Asian championship opens on August 1. The scores: Wellington Saints – Markson 32, Johnson 30, Trousdell 11, Ekenasio 9, Te Huna 8, Mills 5, O’Riley 3, Boucher 2, Groom 0, Thompson 0, Webb 0. Philippines – Norwood 13, David 12, Alapag 11, Chan 11, De Ocampo 9, Tenorio 9, Castro 8, Aguilar 7, Fajardo 6, Fonacier 5, Belga 4, Pingris 1. Quarters: 20-30, 48-52, 72-76, 100-96. -njaylord24
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 02:01:07 +0000
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