Smart Gilas Pilipinas: Philippines a 24-year SemiFinal Drought!

Wuhan, China : Philippines gave millions of fans back home a lot to cheer by making the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Championship for the first time in 24 years with a comeback 95-78 win against Chinese Taipei on Friday.

In Saturday’s semifinal, Philippines will take on Jordan who stunned defending champions Iran in an earlier quarterfinal.

For the record, Philippines had beaten Jordan 72-64 when the two met in a Group F Second Round game in this competition earlier.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit once again had game-highs on either end of the floor, but it was JV Casio who sparked the Filipino rally tonight which put them in the semifinals for the 12th time in FIBA Asia Championship – but only the first time since the 1987 edition at Bangkok, where the team finished fourth.

Casio scored all his 8 points for the game in the second quarter leading an all-round Filipino offense to put them ahead.

Further, a 10-0 run – marked by Douthit’s clever three-point play early in the third quarter – put Philippines comfortably in lead and in control of the proceedings.

There was a minor counter offensive by Taipei, but with veteran Tseng Wen-Ting fouled out, the rally was too little coming too late.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” gushed Philippines coach Rajko Toroman.

“This (the win) shows this team has the ability to make history. Philippines team is in the semifinals after such a long time. I think we have the ability to go all the way,” he said.

“I think we didn’t control the rebounds well in the first quarter,” said Douthit who poured in a massive 37 points and collected 10 rebounds.

“We didn’t control their shooters. We gave them too many second chance points,” he added.

“It’s a dream moment. Playing for the National Team and making the semifinals of this competition is a dream come true,” said Ranidel De Ocampo who scored 18 points and collected 5 rebounds besides dishing out 3 assists.

“We were outplayed by a better team. There’s no doubt in that,” said Taipei coach Chou Chuan-San.

FIBA ASIA 2011: Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now one of the best team in Asia!

Philippine National Basketball Team also known as Smart Gilas Pilipinas, slowly making their move in reclaiming the long lost glory as the most dominant nation in basketball in asia.

During in 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and even 80’s, the Philippine Basketball team considered by many as the most feared and the team to beat once all nation meet at any major tournament that the FIBA organized. Because of its athleticism and high iq in basketball, Filipinos dominated the region for almost 4 decades. But their dominance slowly fading when other nations becomes interested in basketball specially China and South Korea. They build programs to train their players to be more acquainted and learn the game of basketball through foreign coaches that are very familiar with the game.

While other nations continue to improve, Philippine Basketball even with the presence of the first pay league in the region (PBA), it was totally dying and divided. Without proper support from both parties the professional league and the government, Philippine Basketball was nowhere to go but down.

But when Smart Gilas Pilipinas was formed two years ago composed with all collegiate and amateur players with the intention to add 1 naturalize player. It was rekindle the hope that once again we will slowly reclaiming the lost glory in Philippine Basketball.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas enters the quarterfinals round for FIBA Asia 2011 by disposing Syria 75-52 after a scary first half where Syria leading 9. But with full determination and courage and with one goal, Gilas Pilipinas annihilates all opposition in the 2^nd round and headed for quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei.

Though it would be hard to match up with Iran and China, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now considered as one of the contenders and one of the elite team in asia after defeating Jordan and Japan in a convincing way. With their showing, many believes that this is the team that will make every Filipino proud and if the program and the unity of Philippine Basketball, Team Pilipinas will regain its glory in Asia. Possibility of beating China and Iran is very high. With more exposure and togetherness for each player, they will be a force to reckon with because of its athleticism and high IQ. Even they are lack in height, this team is such an exciting team to watch. Fans are upbeat and excited because of some highlights play they bring every game.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas is becoming more poise and they continue to learn and once they polish and know the approach in FIBA rules then you may expect how they will dethrone China and Iran.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas will rule!

FIBA Asia: Philippines Defeated Jordan!

PHI/JOR - Douthit leads a successful and spirited Filipino rally

WUHAN, China - Naturalized center Marcus Douthit raised the bar of his performance to the next level in the second half, and with the ‘just cleared’ Marcio Lassiter playing a very good second fiddle, Philippines rallied from a first half stutter to beat Jordan 72-64 in a pivotal Group F game on Monday.

Jordan ran the floor, and rolled the dice, for the entire first half and even seemed to head towards what would have been an unsurprising victory.

Sam Daghlas shelved all doubts about his injury and led the Jordanian offense from the front with 9 points in the first quarter, but would go on to add only as many over the next three quarters.

Douthit (blue jersey in pic above) on the other had rose in performance and confidence as the game progressed.

The 211-cm Providence alumnus who had merely 4 rebounds and as many points in the first half, went on to lead the game in scoring – with 19 points – and rebounds – with 15 collections.

The form, or the lack of it, of these two players was a synopsis of the way the pendulum swung in the game.

“I think we showed a lot of character,” said Philippines guard Chris Tiu, who dished out a game-high 4 assists.

Read More....