Smart Gilas slams Canberra Gunners

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas continued its impressive showing Down Under as it blasted the Canberra Gunners, 101-84, to remain undefeated in its six-game Australian Tour at the Belconnen Basketball Stadium Thursday night.

Dylan Ababou, the reigning UAAP MVP, exploded for 20 points he spiked with five triples while Mac Baracael and skipper Chris Tiu chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively, to anchor the lopsided win for the Filipinos.

It was the third win by the Nationals, who downed Australia’s Under-19 team, 78-67, and Australia’s second team, 79-73.

Their other game ended up in a 73-all draw.

The Smart Gilas team was playing NSWIS last night and is scheduled to face a club from Sydney City tomorrow.

“We’re doing great,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim. “But more than the wins, we hope to toughen up and learn many things from training games like this.”

The win over the Gunners, one of the top teams in the Southeast Australia cage league, came as a big surprise since the host team did not only have size advantage but was also backed by foreign-bred players like Glenn Baird, who played college ball in the US NCAA, and Zlatko Todorovski, a Macedonian-born player.

Fil-Am Greg Slaughter continued to dish out solid games as he finished with nine points, five rebounds and two shot blocks after scoring a combined 29 points in the last two games.

Jason Ballesteros also returned after sitting it out in the team’s previous game as he turned in nine points, 11 rebounds, one shot block, a steal and an assist.

After struggling for just a pair of triples the last time out, the Filipinos torched the rim with 13 treys with Ababou leading the attack. – Joey Villar