RP five succumbs to NCAA standouts

LAS VEGAS — For a while, it looked like the Philippines would hit the jackpot after connecting on a pair of miracle buzzer-beaters from way, way out to end the first and second periods then scrambling back from a 13-point deficit to trim the gap to three early in the third period.

But luck ran out on the Filipinos who rolled the dice and didn’t get the winning combination against BDA (Bill Duffy and Associates) Sports, an all-American team made up of NCAA Division I standouts, at the Global Hoops Summit in the Cox Pavilion on the University of Nevada at Las Vegas campus here Monday afternoon (yesterday morning, Manila).

BDA Sports, owned by player agent Bill Duffy whose most celebrated client is Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, powered its way to an 81-64 win, punctuated by 59 points inside the paint compared to the Philippines’ 16.

With 7-0 Marcus Campbell asserting his authority under the boards, there was little 6-6 Romel Adducul, 6-7 Sonny Thoss and 6-5 Billy Mamaril could do to outmuscle the 280-pound mastodon. BDA Sports easily outrebounded the Philippines, 44-32 and scored more second chance points, 18-6.

The action was fast, furious and physical from the opening tip. Fighting jet lag which is deadliest a few days after crossing the international dateline, the Filipinos battled tooth and nail until their legs gave in.

Ren-Ren Ritualo sank a 40-foot heave to end the first quarter on a high note. Dondon Hontiveros contributed his share of heroics by knocking down a 55-foot prayer, also at the buzzer, to end the half which BDA Sports took, 45-35.

The Filipino crowd roared when Hontiveros and Mike Cortez detonated a 7-0 bomb to cut the spread to three, 47-44, with 7:31 to go in the third period. BDA Sports’ Justin Davis countered with a free throw to make it 48-44 and the Philippines, sponsored by San Miguel Beer, had a chance to pull within two or one on the next possession.

Then, the roof caved in.

Tony de la Cruz scored from close range after a scramble for possession but Filipino referee Riel Banaria called a foul against BDA Sports before the shot and nullified the basket. If Banaria counted the shot, the Philippines would’ve trimmed the deficit to two and possibly, one if de la Cruz completed the three-point play. As it turned out, BDA Sports stole the ball when action was resumed and went on a 10-0 rampage to put the game out of reach.

Ritualo, who scored 10 points in the first half, was silenced in the last two quarters by 6-9 Harvey Thomas.

Point guard Paul Marigney of St. Mary’s College hit 16 points, including 2-of-5 triples, to lead BDA Sports attack. Marigney’s father Paul, Sr. averaged 25.6 points and 19.1 rebounds in 14 games for Mariwasa in the 1978 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Open Conference. Marigney, one of seven children, said his 6-9 father never told him about his tour of duty in the Philippines and now lives in Fresno.

Despite a size handicap, the Filipinos refused to be pushed around. Adducul repeatedly challenged BDA Sports’ behemoths by driving strong to the hole only to be stopped in his tracks by huge bodies that are built like tanks.

After the game, BDA Sports coach Bob Donewald complimented the Philippine team for a gallant stand.

"One thing for sure, the Philippines is extremely well-coached," said Donewald. "They ran some plays that frustrated the heck out of us. I thought the Filipinos got tired in the end and lost their legs. Remember, we’ve got solid athletes in our team. What the Philippines could use a big center to compensate for lack of size. No doubt, the team is competitive right now. With some size, it’ll be a contender in international competitions."

National coach Chot Reyes said fatigue set in and doused plans of a late uprising.

"We just got tired," said Reyes. "It’s tough enough playing against really athletic players. We didn’t get the lift from our second unit and that hurt us. Jay-Jay (Helterbrand) had an off-game and we badly needed a backup for Mike (Cortez). We made our run in the third period but when they made theirs, we couldn’t sustain our pace. What also hurt us was Thomas’ defense on Ren-Ren in the second half."