SMART GILAS DOWNED POWERADE TEAM PILIPINAS

Is is the future of Philippine basketball were seeing? Maybe.. But last night, the young ones prevailed over the grizzled veterans.

Smart Gilas defeated the Powerade Team Pilipinas by 98-69. Watching last nights game i never thought it would be this lopsided, but considering the Powerade team haven't even practice a session together and the absence of key players Kelly Williams, Mick Pinnisi, Arwind Santos and this year MVP Jayjay Helterbrand. I just hope that what Smart Gilas have shown last night would carry them to the next Olympics. Although it would be a tall order, a very tall one, since they would have to defeat powerhouse countries like Iran, China, Lebanon, Jordan and more.

But going back to last night game. Smart Gilas a team who is working together for quite sometime now played a notch higher than the hastily reassembled Powerade Team Pilipinas. The special event, organized by the SBP in cooperation with its principal stake holders and the Araneta Center management, drew over P2 million in gate receipts and cash donations by individuals, including SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero.

Japeth Aguilar led all scorers with 24 points with Mac Baracael contributing 10 points, Dylan Ababou nine and Mark Barroca and JV Casio eight apiece for Smart Gilas.

James Yap paced the PBA selection with 17 points on 8-of-19 field-goal shooting.