Nationals, Syria's Al Wahda dispute final berth

MANILA, Philippines –  Smart Gilas Pilipinas tries to get back at Al Wahda of Syria as they dispute the first finals slot in the 22nd Dubai Invitational basketball tournament at the Al Ahli Indoor Stadium today.

Riding the crest of a big 86-69 romp over Hoops of Lebanon in Thursday’s quarterfinals, the Nationals aim to avenge their heartbreaking 89-91 loss to the Al Wahda squad in the elims and reach the championship round for the first time for Team Phl.

“The morale is high after our big quarterfinal win,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim. “Our motivation is to make it to the finals, which has never been done by any Philippine team sent here.

“Somehow, the team also wants to get back at Al Wahda, which beat us in a close game in the group stages,” he added.

The Syrians, who reached the semis by beating the United Arab Emirates national team, 100-81, hit three triples down the stretch to beat the Filipinos in the elims.

The American troika of 6-8 Adam Zhan, 6-3 Nicholas Zachery and 5-11 Ricky Clemons combined for 60 points against Smart Gilas, which hopes to limit their rival’s imports with a resolute defense.

Zhan last played in the National Basketball Developmental League while Zachery, a prolific scorer during his University of Arkansas-Little Rock days, played for the Antranik Beirut in the Lebanese League where he averaged 20 points a game before suiting up for Al Wahda.

The lightning-quick and sweet-shooting Clemons, for his part, saw action for the Chabab-Zahle where he piled up norms of 17.2 points in 16 outings.

“We have to limit them, if not stop them completely,” said Lim.

The Filipinos are also expected to use their firepower after torching Hoops with 11 of the 19 triples while dishing out probably their best defense in the tournament thus far with a tournament high 12 steals.

Sagesse of Lebanon blasted Lebanese league rival Anibal Zahle, 93-71, while Al Etihad of Egypt smashed Al Itihad of Syria, 81-66, to arrange their own semis showdown.