The PBA All Stars fought it out, but Gilas Pilipinas made sure there won’t be a repeat of their near-disastrous Digos stint last year.
The Nationals didn’t need a last-second bailout shot from Jeff Chan as Gilas imposed its will and set the pace almost throughout in a 101-93 win over the PBA selection in the 2014 PBA All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday.
“We expected that as we had Marcus (Douthit). It’s kind of an unfair advantage,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes.
Douthit sat out the last game in Digos, Davao del Sur, and Chan needed to knock in a last-second three-point shot for the Nationals to forge a 124-all tie.
No need really for endgame heroics from any Gilas player this time as the Nationals played the way they should.
Pouring in nine of his 15 points midway through the fourth quarter, Gary David gave Gilas its last of 18-point buffers at 95-77.
The Meralco sentinel sat out the last four minutes of the game, but still went home with the All-Star Game MVP award.
“More than the final outcome, the final score, we’re looking at how the players react and how the players follow the game plan. We’re happy with the 28 assists. It speaks volumes of the kind of team that we have,” Reyes said.
The Gilas bench chieftain was thankful for the tough stand put up by the All-Stars.
“I appreciate their effort. They prepared hard and really played well. I think the game would definitely help us. It may just be one game but it means a lot to us,” Reyes pointed out.
“They were too organized and we only had one point guard (Mark Barroca). We had to have a great game from mark,” said All-Stars coach Tim Cone. “But our guys fought tremendously, and I’m proud of them.”
Chan, Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo and Douthit were the others who put in big numbers for the Nationals in their first game since their successful 2013 FIBA Asia Championship run.
Chan made three treys and led all scorers with 17 points, Fajardo contributed 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, Castro chipped in 12 markers while Douthit added 10 markers, seven boards and four assists.
Arwind Santos delivered a trey and a breakaway layup, then PJ Simon also had his own breakaway basket as the All Stars threatened to wage one final rally, 84-95, midway through the fourth.
But David buried a second trey in the fourth quarter before Douthit nailed two charities to put Gilas back in full control. (SB)
Full boxscores HERE.
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