WUHAN – While still awaiting clearance for Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, Smart Gilas Pilipinas made do with 10 men to wallop Bahrain, 113-71, yesterday in a good warm-up for the coming tougher battles in the 26th FIBA Asia Championship here.
Starting fresh in the second half, Japeth Aguilar keyed a decisive third-quarter onslaught leading to their big rout of the Bahrainis the morning after bowing to the Chinese Friday night.
Smart Gilas, which clobbered the United Arab Emirates, 92-52, on opening day, will carry over a 2-1 win-loss record into the next round where it plays Japan, Jordan and either Syria or Indonesia. It needs at least two wins to avoid a powerhouse squad in the initial stage of the knockout plays.
“We used today’s game to help our players get ready for the next round. We’re not 100 percent battle-ready at this time, and I told the players to try to catch up,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.
“I’m telling the players not to lose confidence. Time is working for us. If the two guys (Lassiter and Lutz) join us later, we’ll be very competitive,” Toroman also said.
Before the game, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas forwarded to FIBA World pertinent papers that could clear the two Fil-Ams to play for Smart Gilas.
The Nationals took some time to establish rhythm versus the Bahrainis, a team featuring former La Salle Archer Bader Malabes.
“We’re doing some balancing, and it’s difficult for some players. Just look at (Mac) Baracael who’s playing at three spot after playing No. 4 position for three years. There’s also (Jayvee) Casio who suddenly has to play No. 2 after being a point guard in all those last three years,” said Toroman.
There’s no stopping the Nationals, though, as they got into the groove, opening the second half with a decisive 19-to-nothing run.
Aguilar scored 14 points in the third period and finished with game-highs of 21 points and 12 rebounds.
“For me, it’s a blessing. As I sat on the bench (throughout the first half), I was looking at the opponent and I thought I could outrun them and beat them with my athleticism,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar did just that as he was set loose by Toroman in the final half.
“I wanted to give all the players the chance to play, and I thought Ranidel (de Ocampo) and Kelly (Williams) needed more time to pick up our system. They’ve been with us for not so long,” Toroman said.
De Ocampo, Casio, Baracael, Marcus Douthit, Asi Taulava and Chris Tiu delivered double-digit contributions while Jimmy Alapag and Mark Barroca made their presence felt presiding over Smart Gilas’ attack.
Barroca scored eight points on 3-of-5 shooting and also logged seven assists and five steals while Alapag issued eight assists and converted a lone field-goal attempt.
Aguilar, however, drew the admiration of the crowd for his highlight plays that included a put-back jam giving Smart Gilas a 41-point spread at 102-61.
The Bahrainis were not far behind, 40-51, before the Nationals came out of the halftime huddle with all guns blazing, scoring the first 19 points in the final half.
Earlier, Japan completed a three-game sweep in Group C as it ripped Syria, 77-55.