Smart Gilas repulses Jordan

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas stunned defending champion and World Championship-bound Jordan, pulling off a big 75-71 victory to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut, Lebanon Tuesday.

Mac Baracael came away with 16 points while Asi Taulava turned in a double-double job of 13 points and 12 rebounds to propel the Nationals to their second straight win in three starts for a spot in the quarters.

Skipper Chris Tiu, who starred in Team RP’s 81-67 rout of Syria last Monday, and co-captain Mark Barroca backed them up with solid 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Japeth Aguilar, meanwhile, has started to get back into the groove with four points and six rebounds after sustaining a cut that required 22 stitches going to Beirut.

But it was Taulava who made the biggest impact in the closely fought contest as the Coca-Cola mainstay turned in his second double-double effort following a 16-point and 19-rebound job against Syria.

“He (Taulava) has definitely added size, he has responded well to the team. I think we can use him in the long term,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

It was a sweet victory for the Filipinos, who saw action without naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit, seven-foot Fil-Am Greg Slaughter and Rabeh Al Hussaini and shooter Chris Lutz, as they beat a Jordan squad that fielded in a complete roster in preparation for the World Championship in Turkey late this month.

Ayman Idais, who missed the Manila pocket tournament last June when Jordan and RP split their two matches, led Jordan with 11 points.

The win was Smart Gilas’ third in four games against Jordan, which topped this event last year.

“We’re proud of the team,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim.

Smart Gilas tries to sustain its run and close in on one of the top two berths as it faces Qatar, backstopped by naturalized Africans, Wednesday.

The Qataris are currently unbeaten after hurdling Syria and Jordan to join host Lebanon, which won via default over Syria, on top with two wins.

In Group A results, Chinese Taipei downed Iraq, 86-77, and Kazakhstan routed Iran, which is playing without its key players, 80-67, in the day’s other reversal.