Smart Gilas bows to Serbian five in close game

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas suffered a heart-breaking 79-80 loss to a taller OKK Beograd team Friday night in the third of a series of exhibition games in Serbia.

Reigning UAAP MVP Dylan Ababou buried a booming triple with three seconds to go to knot the count at 79 and the team looked headed for a draw when a Serbian referee called a controversial foul against the Filipinos.

OKK Beograd, a Division 1 team in the super strong Serbian League, nailed the game-winning foul shot and escaped with a triumph against an all-Filipino team still waiting for an American naturalized player, who could be Dwane Jones.

It was the Filipinos’ second loss after absorbing a 76-86 defeat to Mettalac Vallevo Wednesday. Smart Gilas trounced Division 1-bound Super Fund, 91-84, Thursday.

The RP developmental team, powered by APEX Sports Training of RP fitness coach Jimbo Saret, was taking on Serbian League powerhouse Hemofarm Vrsac last night.

“It’s going to be a very, very tough game versus Hemofarm Vrsac. They are the No. 2 team in the Serbian League next to Partizan and is participating in the Adriatic League and Euro Cup,” said Smart Gilas team captain Chris Tiu, who suffered a pulled hamstring in the game versus OKK Beograd.

“They’re tough because they have three Serbian national team players, one Slovenian national member and an American import,” he added.

Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim said the team is learning a lot from the Serbian joust.

“We’re doing great, we’re in the right direction,” he said.

Smart Gilas is playing tune-up matches against the best club teams in Serbia to familiarize itself with the European style of basketball RP Serbian coach Rajko Toroman is espousing.