RP 5 vows repeat over China today

TOKUSHIMA, Japan — For San Miguel-Team Pilipinas, beating China once more could be its biggest consolation and the best going-home present it could offer to the nation.

The Nationals and the Chinese, the two winningest teams in Asian basketball both ironically eased out of the finals race in the elimination round, fight for ninth place in the penultimate play date of the 2007 FIBA-Asian championship at Asty Tokushima here today.

The Nationals returned to practice yesterday morning and each one expressed determination to end their campaign here on a winning note.

“We made sure to have a pretty decent practice because we want to end the tourney with a bang. Realistically, it’s a tall order without Mark (Caguioa) and the rest nursing slight injuries. We’re definitely not 100 percent tomorrow (Saturday) but we really want to win,” said coach Chot Reyes.

“They (the Chinese) surely have revenge on their mind. But hopefully, we can grind it out and find a way to win. I hope we’re ready mentally and emotionally,” Reyes added.

“It’s been a long, long journey for us and to have China at the end of the road is pretty exciting. It’s good way for us to end this tournament on a high note.

“Hopefully, we can get another win over them,” said Gabe Norwood.

“It’s going to be another competitive game because it’s against China. It feels good going home if we beat them again,” said Jayjay Helterbrand.

“It’s definitely not the game (fight for ninth) we expected to play. But it’s still important and it’s nice to end the tourney with a win specially against China,” said Jimmy Alapag.

 The Filipinos and the Chinese set up a rematch after sweeping their respective groups in the consolation round.

The Nationals are looking for a repeat of their 79-74 conquest of the Great Wall Sunday. It was the first time in 22 years that an RP team beat China.

The two teams clash at 11:15 a.m. (10:15 in Manila) preceding the big matches, including the crossover semifinals pitting Iran versus Kazakhstan and Lebanon against Korea.

Curiously, Iran, South Korea and Lebanon are teams the Philippines had beaten during their buildup for this Olympic qualifier.

Lebanon, beaten by the Philippines twice in the Manila Invitationals, has remained the only team undefeated here, walloping Iran, 82-60, to top Group I at the close of the quarterfinals Thursday. Iran settled for No. 2.

In Group II, Kazakhstan emerged the top team with a 75-73 decision over Korea. The Japanese took with them the Jordanians to the sideline on a 71-68 win.