GILAS PILIPINAS, PBA ALL-STARS BATTLE TO A 124-ALL STANDOFF
DIGOS CITY – Resting Marcus Douthit for another game, Gilas Pilipinas flirted with disaster before salvaging a standoff with the fierce-fighting PBA Selection in the 2013 PBA All-Star Game at the Davao del Sur Coliseum here Sunday night.
Jeff Chan knocked in a trey off Alex Cabagnot with six-tenths of a second left as Gilas Pilipinas avoided what could have been a sorry loss, fighting the PBA side to a 124-124 deadlock in the most competitive PBA All-Star Week mainer ever.
Arwind Santos and company just made good their promise to give the Nationals a good fight.
Santos sizzled with game-highs of 27 points and 13 rebounds and shared MVP honors with Chan who collected nine points, six rebounds and six assists in a performance punctuated by his game-tying shot.
It was the first All-Star Game that ended in a stalemate. In Bacolod in 2008, the North-South battled to a tie at the end of regulation, but the crowd and the protagonists prevailed on league officials to hold overtime play. South eventually prevailed, 163-158, with PJ Simon winning the MVP trophy.
“We had pre-set patterns before the game no matter kung sino ang maganda ang laro. Palit ng palit after five minutes until the last quarter. We could’ve done a better job matching up but we have to play all the players and make sure na yung mga players playing in the (Commissioner’s Cup) semis eh hindi mapagod,” said Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes.
“But no excuse. The other team played well. They made a case for themselves. They proved that they deserve to be in the national team. They gave us a tough time and that’s what this game is all about,” Reyes added.
Reyes rested Douthit with a back spasm so that the 6-foot-11 naturalized player can play in their game with the Shanghai Sharks in a goodwill game in Manila Monday.
And they nearly had a nightmare versus the PBA squad.
“We stuck with our set patterns until the fourth quarter. We couldn’t match their quickness. Sa fourth quarter na kami sumabay,” said Reyes.
The Nationals nearly ran out of time in their comeback bid with Chan making the bailout trey with only .6 second left.
Gilas Pilipinas got a crack at the tie after Jason Castro grabbed possession following a jump ball with 7.6 seconds to go.
Gary David, Larry Fonacier, Marc Pingris, LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss had their contribution as the Nationals fought back from an 11-point deficit to the delight of the predominantly Gilas crowd in the sell-out playing venue.
It had appeared a won ball game for the PBA stars as Beau Belga canned in two charities giving them a 120-114 lead with 1:14 left.
But Chan and David banged away a triple each and Castro buried two foul shots in a strong Gilas windup forging the tie.
“That’s been the characteristic of this team from our Jones Cup championship. It doesn’t give up. Somehow, we’ve built resoluteness,” said Reyes.
The national coach, however, admitted their way, way off from their desired form with only three months to go before going to war in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.
“Lots of causes for concern. For one, this game exposed our inability to play defense. We scored points but we just couldn’t stop them,” said Reyes.
“We scored 124 points. It should’ve been a blowout game. But we really couldn’t defend. We couldn’t stop their transition and their halfcourt game,” Reyes added.
Santos, KG Canaleta, Belga, Alex Cabagnot, Calvin Abueva, Chris Ellis, Jayvee Casio and Cyrus Baguio all put in huge numbers for the PBA Stars, punishing Gilas Pilipinas with their exceptional individual plays.
They played a freewheeling run-and-gun game without a benefit of a single practice.
Reyes played 11 players from his pool, also resting injured guard Jimmy Alapag. Ryan Reyes and Greg Slaughter were left in Manila due to an injury and studies, respectively.
Fonacier and David paced Gilas with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
The PBA Selection had its own injury woes – the reason why starters James Yap and Mark Caguioa played only limited minutes. The two made just a basket each.
Chan and Gabe Norwood combined for 4-of-8 three-point shooting and a total of 22 points as Gilas Pilipinas took a 66-65 edge at the half.
For the PBA stars, Santos had 17-point first-half performance he highlighted with 3-of-5 three-pointers and a breakaway two-handed jam in the closing seconds.
The two teams performed separate dance routines during the call-out, setting off the fiesta atmosphere of the night.
The Nationals gyrated to a medley capped by a Raiza Mae Dizon-inspired “Chacha Dabarkads” while the All Stars danced to the tune of Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” (SB)
The scores:
PBA All-Star 124 – Santos 27, Canaleta 20, Cabagnot 15, Belga 15, Ellis 9, Abueva 9, Casio 9, Baguio 9, Lassiter 6, Caguioa 3, Yap 2.
Gilas Pilipinas 124 – Fonacier 18, David 17, De Ocampo 14, Thoss 11, Castro 11, Pingris 10, Tenorio 10, Norwood 10, Chan 9, Fajardo 9, Aguilar 5.
Quarters: 31-33; 65-66; 95-89; 124-124
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