Gilas outsmarts Powerade in big rally

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas proved it’s not all about Marcus Douthit as the Nationals, playing minus their injured 6-foot-11 naturalized player, charged back from a 23-point deficit and nipped the Powerade Tigers, 98-97, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Point guard Jayvee Casio broke through a Powerade defensive wall for the deciding basket, lifting Smart Gilas to the win that formalized its entry into the playoffs.

“This game showed that our team has a lot of quality players outside of Marcus (Douthit). He really makes a big impact, but this game will make everybody understand that our advantage is not just Marcus,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

“These kids (the Nationals) know how to play. You saw the great games of Casio, (Marcio) Lassiter and (Chris) Lutz,” Toroman said.

Casio poured in a game-high 29 points on top of six assists and four rebounds, Lassiter logged 21, four rebounds, four assists and two steals while Lutz added 11 points, two rebounds and the same number of assists.

Japeth Aguilar took over the spot of the injury-stricken Douthit and the 6-foot-9 player got 11 rebounds and 10 points.

“They defended box in one, diamond and two, man-to-man and a little zone. Our big guys didn’t react well but the guys picked up the rhythm and played well. We reacted good in the end and I’m really satisfied,” said Toroman.

It was a remarkable victory that saw the Nationals buck a faltering start, a 23-point deficit at 17-40 and a close finish, giving them their sixth win against a lone defeat.

Smart Gilas caught up with Talk n Text in front, a full game ahead of joint second placers Alaska Milk and Barangay Ginebra in what has become a four-way race for the two outright seats in the semifinals.

Powerade’s playoff aspiration, meanwhile, further dimmed as the Tigers took their sixth loss in eight games.

They had a chance to win the game but import Martin Zeno and Francis Allera missed an attempt each in the last nine seconds of the contest.

PJ Simon pumped in 26 points while Marc Pingris and Kerby Raymundo added double-double numbers as B-Meg Derby Ace outlasted San Miguel Beer, 93-88, in overtime to enhance its own playoff hopes in the nightcap.

“We stayed tough at endgame. We missed crucial shots but the important thing was we made the stops,” said Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent.

The Llamados closed in on the playoffs with a 4-4 card while the Beermen eventually kissed their hopes goodbye with a seventh loss in eight outings.