Close win a learning experience for RP 5

MANILA, Philippines - This time, Powerade Team Pilipinas got some lessons to learn from the souped-up Hoopdreamz Great White Sharks.

The Nationals needed extra five minutes to overcome the Sharks, 93-89, last night, completing a sweep of their two-game Motolite RP-Australia Goodwill Series at the Araneta Coliseum.

“Certainly, we learned a lot more tonight than in the first game. And we really like to learn. We want games like this to measure the character of the team,” said RP team coach Yeng Guiao.

“We got a good workout because of the two imports. The Australians maximized the use of Tiras Wade and Shawn Daniels, and the two really played hard. They became bigger and we liked the challenge because that’s the kind of teams we’re facing (in the Asian championship). This game would help us in the long run,” Guiao added.

Wade exploded for a game-high 30 points while Daniels came through with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in reinforcing the visiting team dominated by the host in the first game Friday.

Thanks to the help of Wade and Daniels, the Sharks put up a tough stand, but the Nationals still pulled through, riding high on the exploits of Kerby Raymundo and Arwind Santos at crunch time.

Raymundo scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter while Santos pumped in seven of his 12 in overtime.

“I figured I had the advantage in my match-up, so I kept on attacking,” said Raymundo on his decisive fourth-quarter binge rallying the Nationals from an eight-point deficit.

Team Pilipinas had the chance to win the game right on regulation play but Asi Taulava muffed two charities with time down to 2.8 seconds.

Santos opened the overtime period with a triple and the Nationals kept the Sharks at bay the rest of the way.

Santos himself clinched the win for the team as he forced a crucial Australia error and scored on a breakaway layup making it 91-86 with only 15 seconds to go.

With the sweep, the Nationals grabbed the total cash pot of P150,000 put up by Phoenix Petroleum.

Guiao said they’re taking a Holy Week break for resuming practices in preparation for the PBA All-Star Week where they play three different PBA selections also reinforced by imports.

The Nationals outscored the Sharks, 18-0, from the three-point area in the first half ending in favor of the hosts at 43-38.

Guards Jayjay Helterbrand and Ryan Reyes combined for five triples and a total of 19 points as the Nationals took control early and held sway in the entire first 24 minutes of play.

The Sharks drew level for the first time at 45-all on a short stab by Daniels two minutes into the second half and had their first taste of the lead at 50-48 on a jumper by Wade 40 seconds later.

Meanwhile, Raiza Rose Palmera, Socorro Borja and Jocy Positos scored in double figures, leading the FEU Lady Tams to a 65-61 win over the UP Lady Maroons in the curtain-raiser.