Smart Gilas edges Al Jazeera, enters semis

DUBAI – Smart Gilas Pilipinas flashed its resiliency as it battled back from 15 points down to repulse Al Jazeera of Egypt, 82-78, and barge into the semifinal round of the 21st Dubai Invitational at the Al Ahli Indoor Stadium here early Thursday.

Mac Baracael, a 24-year-old pride of Pagbilao, Quezon, sizzled with tournament-high 24 points, including a fallaway jumper in the last two minutes that gave the Filipinos the lead for good.

Skipper Chris Tiu then took over and drained five of his six free throws in the last 14.8 seconds to complete the Nationals’ stirring comeback from 15 points down for the victory that set them up against Al Riyadi of Lebanon on Friday (11 p.m. RP time).

Al Riyadi, backstopped by three American imports and two naturalized players, turned back Fadi El Khatib and Champville also of Lebanon, 74-67, to clinch the first semis seat.

“The guys played with a big fighting heart,” said RP’s Serbian coach Rajko Toroman. “We were up from the start then we were down by 15 points and then rallied back and win the game. It’s amazing what we’re doing in this tournament. I’m very satisfied and very proud of the players.”

The Filipinos, whose campaign here is sponsored by Smart and backed by Nike and GMA Pinoy TV, also drew inspiration from more 2,500 OFWs who came to watch and cheer them.

The taller, heftier Egyptians didn’t force the issue in the shaded lane as they flaunted their shooting prowess, making eight triples, including three by Sherif Gunaidi. But the gritty Filipinos switched from man-to-man to zone defense then back to man-to-man to stifle Al Jazeera’s top gunners.

“They punished us with three-point shooting and it was very difficult but these things showed the character of the team,” said Toroman.

Noli Eala, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director and head of the RP delegation, said the team’s semis appearance is already a feat in itself.

“Egypt was a very tough team, well coached and has good system plus they were very aggressive. But I think in the end we showed we can match up with their energy and that’s really the key to victory,” Eala said.

Eala said SBP chief Manny V. Pangilinan congratulated the team through text and exhorted them to strive for more.

“He (Pangilinan) texted and he’s very happy, very proud of the team asking the team to continue improving, getting better by the game,” said Eala..

The match produced a lot of heroes.

There was Marcio Lassiter, a Fil-Am out of CalState Fullerton who provided the energy on both offense and defense and the talented backcourt troika of skipper Chris Tiu, JV Casio and Mark Barroca.

Lassiter pumped in 10 points he spiked with two triples then came through with a steal and a rebound down the stretch while Tiu, Casio and Barroca kept the team together with their heady plays. Tiu had nine points, six assists, two steals and two rebounds.

“It was Mac Baracael who played incredibly. Ballesteros played the entire second half and I think the entire first quarter and that’s hard banging bodies with those guys, grabbing the crucial rebounds,” said Tiu.

DUBAI NOTES: After the win, Baracael was approached by an Egyptian offering him a juicy contract if he decides to play in Egypt as an import. The former FEU stalwart, however, politely turned down the offer and reiterated his 100-percent commitment to Smart Gilas...For the first time in the tournament, the Philippines’ national anthem was played before the game...GMA Pinoy TV, one of Smart Gilas’ sponsors, provided the Filipinos with RP flaglets.

The scores:

Smart Gilas 82 - Baracael 24, Barroca 13, Lassiter 10, Tiu 9, Ballesteros 7, Sampson 4, Casio 9, Aguilar 3, Ababou 3, Cawaling 0

Al Jazeera 78 - Merill 25, Gendy 13, Na’em 12, Mishaal 10, S. Guneidi 9, R. Guneidi 3, Saled 3, Badr 3, Mahmod 0, Ibrahim 0

Quarterscores: 17-23, 35-44, 58-59, 82-78