PUERTO RICO HANDS GILAS PILIPINAS ANOTHER HEARTBREAKER
SEVILLE, Spain – Puerto Rico’s JJ Barea showed Wednesday why, even at 5-foot-9, he is in the NBA, while his Gilas Pilipinas counterparts – all four of them – are having their baptism of fire on the global stage.
The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard scored 10 of Puerto Rico’s last 12 points as the Latin American team, down to 10 players because of injuries, defeated the Philippines, 77-73, snuffing out for good the Nationals’ already flickering chance of reaching the Round of 16 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes San Pablo here.
Reporters from Senegal at the international press box raised their arms in celebration at the buzzer as Gilas fell to its fourth straight loss, eliminating a big threat to the African nation’s drive to advance to the second round where the world’s best, including the United States and host Spain, are convening next week.
Gilas wraps up its sojourn to the world championship after a 26-year absence Thursday against Senegal, an opponent the Nationals were looking to use as stepping stone on the way to the next round – provided Puerto Rico gets beaten.
But Barea delivered his best game in the tournament, finishing with 30 points on 8-of-15 shooting with three 3-pointers and 11-of-12 free throws, putting on a clinic that clearly mesmerized Gilas court-generals Jimmy Alapag, LA Tenorio, Jayson Castro and Paul Lee.
Of the four PBA stars, only Tenorio and Lee, who carried his maternal name Dalistan, had enough savvy left to challenge the almost untouchable Barea, who combined shake-and-bake moves and killer crossovers to blow past his eye-level defenders.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes, in a move intended to put Barea at some height disadvantage, sent in 6-foot-4 Gabe Norwood to defend the fleet-footed Puerto Rican with a little over two minutes remaining and the scored tied, 67-all. Nonchalantly, Barea pulled up for his third trey to spark a decisive 8-point run to put away the Philippines.
Three free throws by Jimmy Alapag, who didn’t get his wish to deliver another unforgettable performance as encore to his remarkable game against Argentina, put Gilas within, 75-73, with 4.5 seconds to go.
A quick foul then sent 7-footer Ricky Sanchez to the line. But the NBA veteran, who drilled three triples and had 13 points along with perimeter deadshot David Huertas, was more than steady as Puerto Rico picked up its first win after three losses in Group B.
While the game against Senegal bears no more significance for the Philippines, it could still hurt the African team’s chances, especially if Puerto Rico upends suddenly vulnerable Croatia.
Andray Blatche had 25 points but committed six turnovers, including a grievous one with 34 seconds remaining and Gilas trailing, 74-70. Tenorio had 18 points, hitting 6 of 9 shots as he steered the Nationals to a 27-13 second quarter lead following an 18-0 run from the opening period.
His left corner triple gave Gilas a 67-65 lead with 4:44 remaining but it proved to be the Nationals’ final stand. Lee added 10, but Castro, never the same after that costly indecision in the dying seconds against Argentina was 1 of 5 from the floor, with Ranidel de Ocampo.
“We kept turning the ball over in the second half,” said Reyes. “We have the skills to compete at this level but not the experience to win.”
Barea complimented the Gilas playmakers for their energy and shooting.
“They are a great team,” he said. “They have great shooters like me.”
Puerto Rico head coach Paco Olmos paid tribute to his team’s defense against the Gilas gunners, with the long-limbed Sanchez usually sliding over to guard the shooters when the Nationals to to their top-of-the-key pick-and-roll plays.
“Gilas is very good but we defended well,” he said. “We had to give up points on Blatche so we can stop their shooters
The scores:
PUERTO RICO – 77 Barea 30, Sanchez 13, Huertas 13, Rivera 5, Galindo 5, Diaz 4, Franklin 2, Clemente 2, Balkman 2.
PHILIPPINES 73 – Blatche 23, Tenorio 18, Lee 10, Alapag 6, Norwood 6, Castro 4, De Ocampo 2, Pingris w, Aguilar 0, Chan 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 44-39, 61-57, 77-73.
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