RP loses steam, bows to Latvia

SONDRIO – For a while, it looked like Selecta Philippines would upset two-time European champion Latvia in the opener of the four-nation, three-day Selecta RP-Euro Basketball Challenge at the Palascicghi gym in this Italian resort town Monday night.

Danny Seigle hit the icebreaker, Asi Taulava nearly tore down the backboard on a dunk, and Eric Menk buried a triple as the Philippines raced to a 12-8 lead. The aggressiveness that the Filipinos lacked in losing a 43-point blowout to Italy the night before was evident against Latvia – at least in the early going.

But Latvia wasn’t fazed. The Filipinos had their last ride in the driver’s seat at 13-12 but still kept it close with Seigle’s triple cutting the margin to only two with 3:57 left in the second quarter. Latvia led, 45-38, at the turn.

Then came total collapse. Exhausted from the effort to keep pace, the Filipinos lost steam in the second half. It was like the roof caved in on the hapless Filipinos who surrendered possession on nine steals and 11 turnovers in the final 20 minutes. Worse, the Philippines couldn’t shoot a darn and scored only seven points in the final quarter.

After an early scare, Latvia won easily, 79-54.

However, there were some consoling moments for the Philippines. For instance, Rudy Hatfield shackled Latvia’s ace gunner Ainars (The Rifle) Bagatskis who finished with only seven points on 1-of-4 treys and four free throws. Jeffrey Cariaso was fearless in challenging Latvia’s big men on slashes to the hole. Dennis Espino, Mick Pennisi, and Chris Jackson didn’t back down fighting for inside position. Olsen Racela, Dondon Hontiveros, Kenneth Duremdes and Boyet Fernandez hustled for loose balls.

On the downside were the Filipinos’ turnovers — 21 in all to Latvia’s 14. Also, Latvia had more offensive rebounds, 16-5, and steals, 17-9. What broke the Philippines’ back was Latvia’s boardwork. Muscle-bound Uvis Helmanis and Arnis Vecvagars combined for 28 points and 21 rebounds — 10 offensive — to tow Latvia to victory.

Coach Joseph Uichico took the blame for the loss. "We should’ve done better," he said. "We lost our focus. I blame myself for not training the guys to be more fundamentally sound – like losing the ball in transition because of faulty dribbling and not screening off. We’ve just got to work harder."

Assistant coach Allan Caidic said the Filipinos lost their poise. "We got tired," Caidic added. "What we’re learning here will help us in Busan. This is an eye-opener."

Racela said he is learning a lot more from the experience here.

Than the Centennial squad’s 1998 US tour. Pennisi said playing European-style defense is dramatically different from what he’s used to. Assistant coach Eric Altamirano noted the players are struggling to break out of their one-on-one habit and finding it difficult to adjust to the breakneck pace of the international game.

Tonight, the Philippines plays host Italy on the second day of action in the Selecta RP-Euro Basketball Challenge.