Gilas avenges loss, outseadies hot shooting LSU Baltai

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas got back at its earlier tormentor LSU Baltai, 90-88, on Friday night at the Svyturio Arena in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

Gilas, who suffered their only loss at the hands of LSU Baltai, 86-89, in their two-week Lithuania training camp, was the steadier team down the stretch this time.

“We barely beat the young LSU team playing without their imports,” Gilas head coach Chot Reyes posted on his Twitter account (@coachot) moments after the game.

The Nationals banked on a solid first and third quarter then made the crucial plays in the endgame that negated the Lithuanians’ hot outside shooting.

Just like in their first meeting, the younger but taller Lithuanians again waxed hot from beyond the arc sinking 12 of their 32 attempts.  But it was three less than the 15 which they converted in their win last week.

The Filipinos have learned their lessons as they controlled the opening quarter, 29-24. The home team, however, stemmed the tide to its side in the second canto behind its impeccable shooting from the outside to grab a 48-45 lead at the half.

It was the Nationals’ turn in the third period as they clamped down on defense limiting the Lithuanians to just 13 points.

Marcus Douthit again paced Gilas with 22 points with Jimmy Alapag contributing 16 points.

Jayson Castro and Gary David chipped in 10 apiece while Larry Fonacier and Japeth Aguilar added nine and eight, respectively, in a balanced offensive effort.

“Tough game,” Gilas assistant coach Josh Reyes said on his Instagram account. Wow on their tall, quick release shooters.  They were shooting over our outsretched arms.”

LSU Baltai, which ended up 11^th in the Lithuanian division I league (LKL), was led by Arunas Vaasiliauskas, who came off the bench to fire 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. The 6-7 forward had 17 in their first meeting.  

Their starting shooting guard Sarunas Vingelis added 19 built on 4-of-7 conversion from downtown his fellow starter 6-7 forward Zygimantas Skucas finished with 12 points and 12 boards.

It was Gilas’ second straight win in as many days as the Nationals try to simulate the daily schedule of FIBA. The Nationals will wind up their seven-game road trip in Lithuania against Birstono Jazz Diremta, whom they beat 81-76 in their first meeting. Overall, Gilas has won five of their first six tune-up games in the Baltic sea coast as part of their preparation for the FIBA-Asia tournament to be held in the country from Aug. 1 to 11.