Blowout win over Saudis augurs well for Gilas five

Manila, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas overpowered Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, 99-66, in a tune-up game last Wednesday as the Nationals geared up for their showdown tomorrow at the start of the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Saudi club champion team paraded a pair of prolific imports in Serbian seven-footer Vadislav Dragasjlovic and Darren Keely but the hosts, behind Japeth Aguilar’s 23 points, proved up to the task and dominated their rivals from start to finish.

Initially, the Saudis were reported to have been leaning on tapping former Smart Gilas naturalization candidate CJ Giles but the high-leaping 6-10 slotman ended up with Duhok of Iraq instead with Al Ittihad winding up with the Serbian center.

JV Casio, skipper Chris Tiu, co-captain Mark Barroca and Chris Lutz scored 15, 13, 12 and 12 points, respectively, to power Gilas to the blowout win that should fire up for the Filipinos when they take on the Saudis again at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

“We’re expecting it to be like that because their domestic players are not that experienced although they have good imports,” said Toroman in yesterday’s press briefing in Mr. Rockefeller restaurant at Glorietta 3 in Makati City.

The tune-up game turned a bit ugly when some Saudi players tried to engage Tiu, Barroca and Asi Taulava into a fistfight in three separate incidents. But the troika kept their cool and just went on to play the game.

Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams of Talk N’ Text watched the match but will only join the Nationals either late August or early September as they opted to play for the Tropang Texters instead for a rare grand slam bid.

This leaves the 6-10 Douthit, Meralco’s Taulava and Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros as the only PBA reinforcements in the nine-day event considered as the strongest club tournament in Asia featuring two imports per team and national team members.

In the opener, Giles and the rest of Duhok of Iraq squares off with Applied Science University of Jordan at 2 p.m. while Al Jalaa of Syria tackles reigning back-to-back champion Mahram of Iran at 4 p.m.

The Smart Gilas-Al Ittihad duel at 6 p.m. will precede the 8 p.m showdown pitting Al Shabab of United Arab Emirates and defending West Arab League and Lebanese champion Al Riyadi clash at 8 p.m.

Toroman said they’re looking to top Group A that also comprises of Al Jalaa, ASU, Duhok and the KL Dragons of Malaysia, a late replacement to reigning ASEAN Basketball League titlist and FIBA-suspended Thailand.

“Our aim is to make the finals and maybe pull off a surprise there,” said Toroman, who after its strong semifinal finish in the PBA Commissioners Cup had started preparations that included four tune up matches against Meralco, Alaska, Air21 and then Saudi.

“But first, we have to top our group and hope we face the weakest in Group B, which is the tougher group considering that at least four of the teams there are potential champions.

“The real battle starts in the quarterfinals really,” he added.

ASU will boast of former PBA import Jameel Watkins and Ryan Forehan Kelly, KL Dragons Marcus Morrison and Christopher Ayer, Duhok Giles and Chudney Gray and Al Ittihad Dragajlovic and Keely.

In Group B, Al Riyadi will have Ismail Ahmad and Loren Woods, Al Rayyan of Qatar Chauncey Leslie and Kimani Friend, Al Shabab Courtney Fields and Brandon Prump, Mahram Senegalese Chick Samb and Chris Williams and Al Shabab former NBA veteran Samaki Walker and Jamaal Miller.