Bolts lose opener to Japan national team

MANILA, Philippines – The Merlaco Bolts reinforced by some of the Gilas cadet players lost the opening of a three-game exhibition series against Japan’s national team, 67-86, Friday night in Sendai, Japan.

The Japanese went off to a strong start building a 16-10 lead in the first quarter that saw the Filipinos just making four of their 19 attempts from the field.

The Bolts-Gilas cadet team snapped out of their shooting funk in the second quarter but the Japanese turned to their 6-9 center Atsuya Ota to keep the Filipino visitors at bay.  

Ota pumped in eight of his 19 points in the second period while 6-4 swingman Kosuke Kanamaru exploded for 12 points in the third canto as the Japanese broke the game wide open.

Ota added 11 rebounds to his name to complete a double-double while sweet-shooting 6-2 guard Keijuro Matsui rifled in four triples for Japan’s Team Hayabusa, the monicker of their men's national team.

Garvo Lanete led the Filipinos with 15 points.

The second leg was to be played Saturday night.

The proceeds of the friendly presented by Pocari Sweat will go to the still ongoing reconstruction of Japan following the deadly March 11 earthquake and tsunami.  

Initially, the Gilas Pilipinas was invited for the exhibition series but backed out when the Las Vegas NBA Summer League was still in the national team’s schedule. Instead of the Las Vegas trip, the nationals opted for a camp in New Zealand where they are set to leave on July 9.