Korea Defeated Smart Gilas Pilipinas 70-68 To Claim Bronze in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship

It was a heart breaker and it came from a very familiar foe, Team Korea. I thought the game was on the bag last Sunday afternoon, with the Philippines leading most of the way leading to the final quarter. Then just seconds away a 3 pointer from a Korean player who has been struggling the whole game, poor free throw shooting, a block, the finale? a come from behind win from Korea 70-68 to claim the bronze medal in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship.

Moon Taejong who has been struggling since the China game, buried his only three pointer for the game with 47 seconds left on the game to give Korea the lead 67-65, Gilas has a chance to tie the game in Douthit free throw but he missed the second one but was able to grab the rebound only to be blocked by Moon. Still with the Korea leading by just a point 67-66, Kelly Williams was given 2 free throws on a foul by Oh, but misses both charities.

Smart Gilas still has a chance to tie the game with 9 second on a free throw by Lassiter, he sank the first one making it 69-68 but missed the second one, Douthit was able to grab the offensive rebound but turned the ball over. With Philippines down by one Casio fouled Cho, and sent him to the free throw line, Cho misses the first but sank the second one, giving Korea a 70-68 and the game.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas Won Over Syria 75-52 in the 2nd Round of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship

It was a shacky start for Smart Gilas Philippines in the first half, having trailed Syria by 9 points 23-32 at halftime. Mainly due to the foul trouble of Douthit. Things were different in the second half, as the Philippines put on the pressure as it won 75-52 to end its 2nd round in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship.

With its win the Smart Gilas Pilipinas is 2nd in its bracket, the Philippines will now face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals.

In a way, it was good that Smart Gilas Pilipinas were not able to show their usual form and true strength against Syria, with the Taiwanese - in full fource in the scouting gallery.

"I deliberately not put in that much Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams in the first half as I calculated some things. We missed lot of shots and it was good we're able to turn things around in the second half," said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

"And it's now the deciding games. We're looking forward to play Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals. We know it's not going to be easy but we're optimistic," Toroman also said.

The knockout quarterfinals are set on Friday.

ALASKA GUNS FOR 3-0 LEAD AGAINST SMB

Never expected this from the beginning , I thought this would be a tight match that will stretch to until game 7. But Alaska has other plans in mind, after being swept by Purefoods on the All Filipino Finals, they are now up 2-0 against the fancied SMB team and is gunning for a 3-0.

Cant wait to go home early tonight to watch the game, and also to see who wins the MVP this year. Also to be awarded tonight will be the Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Mythical Selections and the All Defensive Team.

But of course the highlight will be game 3 of the finals match. I just hope for SMB that Gabe Freeman won't be in foul trouble again, because he really is the spark that SMB needs to overcome the Aces.

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.