Full-bodied Phl Gilas rallies, crushes Jordan

WUHAN – Finally allowed to play with its full lineup, Smart Gilas Pilipinas showed a lot of heart off and on the court, repulsing Jordan, 72-64, at the resumption of elimination round of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship here last night.

Cleared to play with the game already in progress, Fil-Am players Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz made up for lost time, helping Smart Gilas come from behind to nail the crucial win that kept the team right behind China and Japan in Group F in the second round of the elims.

FIBA World gave the two Fil-Am players the clearance to play as early as yesterday morning but FIBA Asia dilly-dallied to enforce the order from Zurich, Switzerland.

It took a decisive move from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan to take the cudgels for the two players and for FIBA Asia deputy secretary general Hagop Khajirian to finally give the nod on Lassiter and Lutz.

Ironically, the Nationals’ morale had already been affected when Khajirian finally allowed Lassiter’s and Lutz’s names be included in the game board.

Smart Gilas was already trailing 5-17 when Lassiter checked in.

The Nationals even fell behind by 18, 29-11, before finding their rhythm then upending the Jordanians to improve their carry-over card to 2-1. Jordan slid to 1-2.

“I won a championship with Iran (in 2007) but I consider this the biggest win in my life considering how we won under difficult circumstance,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

“It’s not normal, and only players with a big heart can win in our situation. Our players have to be commended,” added Toroman.

“We’re told in the morning that the two can play. Then 15 minutes before the game, they can’t play. Over two minutes into the game, again they can. Can you imagine that? It’s an abnormal situation and it’s tough for the players. All were affected,” Toroman also said.

Jordan coach Thomas Baldwin was as disgusted, saying: “a travesty was done in the sport of basketball today.”

“Certainly, I can’t blame coach Rajko and their organization. I would also fight for it if I were in the same situation. But I’m extremely disappointed by the sport of basketball today and of the organizers,” Baldwin said, obviously upset Lassiter and Lutz were allowed to play.

“MVP is MVP. He made it happen for the two to be able to play. He fought for it,” said Smart Gilas assistant coach Chot Reyes.

With FIBA Asia not acting on the order from Switzerland, the SBP chief made calls to the FIBA World general head quarters and persisted looking for Hagop with the game clock already running.

And Smart Gilas made sure to place the game under protest even before the opening tip.

The reinstatement of Lassiter and Lutz certainly helped although it took the Nationals some time to shrug off the distractions.

Smart Gilas rallied to within five, 26-31, at the half and stepped up even more at the resumption of play, surging ahead at 47-41 through key baskets by Lassiter, Jimmy Alapag and Marcus Douthit.