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 beat Japan!

PHI/JPN - Filipino 3rd quarter blitz hands Japan their first defeat

WUHAN, China (26th FIBA Asia Championship): Philippines ran a 26-12 third quarter – which included a 10-0 run which brought them back into the reckoning in the game – that eventually helped them beat Japan 83-76 thus handing the latter’s first defeat in the competition here.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit (pic above) poured in 19 of his 25 points and collected 12 of his 18 rebounds – both game-highs – in the second half to spark yet another Filipino rally that might have just helped them get a “better cross over draw in the quarterfinals.”

Japan ran the floor hard early and seized the initiative with a 15-0 run that went across the first quarter break.

But a woefully dipping rate of conversion from the foul-line and an increasingly growing in cohesion and cohesion Philippines put paid to the Japanese hopes of remaining undefeated in the competition.

Kelly Williams, one of the PBA imports in the Philippines team sparked a 10-0 run – capped by Marcio Lassiter’s crisp long-ranger – bring the Smart Gilas back into the reckoning.

Japan managed to remain even, but only till a 14-2 run – this time with Douthit leading from the front and Jimmy Alapag setting the Wuhan SC ablaze with a fiery three-pointer – put Philippines in control.

Rajko Toroman’s team never fell back after that.

“The key was we stopped Takuya Kawamura,” Rajko said.

Japan’s most charismatic basketball face in recent face was restricted to a dozen points – six of them in the third quarter – as the Hayabusa struggled with their rebounds and free-throws.

“You can’t think of winning with a 57% conversion in free-throws,” rued Japan coach Tom Wisman.

Japan went to the foul-line 28 times, but only 16 of them were successful.

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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.

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