Amazing Gilas trips Jordan

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas went to JV Casio down the stretch as it turned back a taller, bigger Applied Science U of Jordan, 76-74, last night to clinch the Group A top seeding and forge a quarterfinal duel with Al Jala’a of Syria in the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup at the Philsports Arena.

Wildly cheered on by the biggest crowd so far after five days, the Nationals saved their best for last – in defense, hustle, three-point shooting, free throws and Casio – as they rallied from a five-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Jordanians in a duel of the erstwhile unbeaten teams and sweep the five-team field.

While Dondon Hontiveros and Mac Baracael provided the clutch shots from the outside, the diminutive Casio made things happen down the stretch, scoring six of his 12 points in the last two minutes, including a pair of floaters that cushioned the impact of the Jordanians’ two desperation three pointers in the closing seconds that went in.

The Nationals hit 13 of 18 free throws, including six straight coming in the late in the game that helped fend off the Jordanians.

“We don’t have the size but we have the speed and the big fighting heart, that’s what got us the win,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman as the Nationals whooped it up with the fans as if they had won the championship.

They will have that chance.

The next step will be to hurdle the Syrians of Al Jala’a, the Group B No. 4, in the quarters at 6 p.m. tomorrow with the winner squaring off with the winner between Group B No. 2 Mahram of Iran and Group A No. 3 Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.

The tournament takes a break today.

Jordan fell to No. 2 with a 3-1 slate and will have to battle it out with a dangerous Group A No. 3 Al Rayyan of Qatar, last year’s runner-up, with the winner tackling the victor between the showdown pitting Group B No. 1 Al Riyadi of Lebanon vs Iraq.

Hontiveros, playing his first tournament for the national team, buried six triples and wound up with 23 points while the foul-troubled Marcus Douthit scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Asi Taulava hit just four points but more than made up with a team-high 12 rebounds, including two in the closing minutes, and a gritty defense that somehow neutralized ASU import Jameel Watkins, who had 25 points.