Powerade RP blasts Singapore, sweeps elims

MEDAN, Indonesia – The more coach Yeng Guiao emphasizes their need to be a fluid run-and-gun unit, the more Cyrus Baguio rises to prove he can be a big weapon in the team’s scheme.

The flashy guard-forward from Iligan City struck hard on fastbreak Monday night, sizzling with a tournament-high 28 points as Powerade Team Pilipinas walloped Singapore, 117-69, to complete a sweep of the elimination round of the eighth SEABA Championship.

Baguio, a member of the Mythical Second Team in the PBA last season, wowed the crowd with his acrobatic drives as the Nationals dominated the Singaporeans while working on a pure running game.

“The emphasis is to really instill the fastbreak concept on the guys whether we’re playing a strong, big team or a small team that’s also quick like Singapore,” said Guiao.

“What’s important for me is for the team to be consistent with the running game,” Guiao said.

Nine men got the job done against the Singaporeans as Guiao opted to play Mick Pennisi no more than seven minutes to allow him to rest a sore leg.

Ranidel de Ocampo produced 17 points and 10 rebounds, Asi Taulava had a near triple-double game with 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists while Arwind Santos and Kerby Raymundo added 16 and 10 points, respectively.

Being a non-bearing contest, the Singapore game was supposed to be an easy outing for the team before Tuesday’s final game, but the Nationals still did their thing, overwhelming their rivals with their superior game from start to finish.

“They fared well against Indonesia and Malaysia. Singapore can’t be taken lightly now,” said assistant coach Gie Abanilla of the Singaporeans, playing under a foreign coach.

Later in the day, host Indonesia outlasted Malaysia, 74-67, to gain the right to play Powerade-RP in the title match.

With their entry to the SEABA final, the Indonesians also booked a ticket to the Fiba-Asia championship in Tianjin, China in August.

Guiao cancelled their morning practice here for the third straight day Tuesday, saying he wants them fresh for the rematch with the hosts.

The fiery national mentor particularly called on Pennisi and De Ocampo to rest, saying he needs at least a 10-man rotation to complete a four-game sweep here via routs.

Against the Singaporeans, the Nationals set the tone right in the opening quarter, which they took at 33-14. They stretched it to 58-27 at the half then 93-49 after three quarters before slowing down a bit in the final canto.