by John Paul Marquez

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Gary David was scorching hot in the last two minutes after sinking the last two tough shots over his Korean defender to escort the Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 in a victory against South Korea, 82-79 last August 21 in the 2012 34th William Jones Cup.

David mised consecutive shots in the first three quarter but still delivered the last two jump shots that lead his team to a victory and remain unbeaten in the league with a 3-0 record. David accumulated 13 points in the game behind leading scorer Jeff Chan with 14 points, including four three pointers.

Ranidel De Ocampo started their campaign as he dropped the first four points for the team while Chan joined forces as he dig the two threes, to give his team an edge in the first, 24-17. But in the second Korean import Garret Stutz and the rest of the team plummet a 6-0 run to cut the PH lead, 24-23 however Gilas answered back with a stunning 13-0 bomb courtesy of Sol Mercado’s (nine points) and-one plus the two three’s coming from Larry Fonacier and Chan. Juan Pattillio who lead his team with 19 points replied with a two jump shot to slice the deficit to four, 37-33. Korea engaged a tie in 1:31 mark at 40 but PH naturalized big men Marcus Douthit hooped a basket to bring back the lead for the team at 42-40 and also to end the halftime with a lead. Douthit had nine points.

Garret Stutz, with 11 points, controlled the third quarter to dominate the team. Korea used their specialty as they hit three-after-three-after-three to finally control the game, handling the lead, 61-49. Korea burst out with 31 points in the third while holding the PH to only 23 points to take the lead in the end of the quarter, 71-65.

Early in the fourth David scored the first five points to chop down the Korean’s lead, 71-70, but Pattillio once again made a deficit after he responded five points too. In the 5:31 mark Sol Mercado snatch the lead once again for the team, 76-75. As they engaged in the last two minutes David sank the clinching shot and Gabe Norwood with 10 points converted a 1 out of 2 charity, enough to deal with the game. Kim Tae-Sul tried to sink a three to tie the game but it didn’t work.

With the win, they joined Iran on the top of the standing at 3-0, dropping Korea in a 2-2 record. South Korea placed second last year after defending champion Iran, who’s defending their title for the last three years. The Philippines is hoping to snatch back the title when they won he same event back in 1998 under current B-Meg Llamados head coach Tim Cone.

Philippines will play against Japan tomorrow at 5:00pm, in the same venue.


 

by John Paul Marquez

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Coming out with surprise, San Beda’s pride Garvo Lanete scratched 21 points to lead the Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 in a win contra Chinese-Taipei Guang Hua, 99-68, in the 34th Williams Jones Cup last August 19.

The Gilas dominated the game after stretching their lead to 22 at the end of the first half, 53-31. After that they never looked back and they never let the Guang Hua get their momentum. Larry Fonacier and Sonny Thoss also contributed with 12 points each. They ended the third with a 75-49 lead.

Gabe Norwood also put up a show with alley-oop and slam. The Philippines made a 7-0 run to at least officially seal the deal after Thoss’ lay-up in the 4:59 mark. On that win, the Gilas improved their record to 2-0 after their won last day against one of the power house team Jordan. On the other hand, Guang Hua hooked their second loss in the league still no win for them.

Garvo Lanete the brother of PBA Player Chico Lanete who currently played for the Petron Blaze Booster, is the only amateur player in the roster of Gilas 2.0, after he pulled-out his application form in the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft.

Gilas' next assignment will be South Korea on August 21 after their one day rest. They will try to be on the top until the last day of the league to get the championship after a long time.

There will be no play-offs in this tournament, the team with the best record will automatically win the championship.


 

by John Paul Marquez

TAIPEI- Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 started their campaign by beating Jordan, 88-78, in the opening day of the 34th William Jones Cup last August 18.

Naturalized Center Marcus Douthit led the Gilas with 17 points and 14 boards with only limited time after he picked his second foul early in the first. Ranidel De Ocampo tallied the first seven points for the Gilas, 7-3, for a total of his eight points, ending the quarter 25-16, in favor of the Philippines. In the second the Jordan dropped a 15-8 bomb led by Rasheim Wright who got 24 markers, to take the lead for the Jordan, 34-33, with 1:31 left in the second. With Alaska’s Center Sonny Thoss put-back, he recovered the lead for the PH, 35-37, but Jordan kept their lead before going to the dug-out, 39-36.

In the third Douthit hooked his 3rd foul with 7:56, as Wright continued stretching their lead to eight, 48-40. Another Aces player LA Tenorio surged back to bind the score at 48 and the 2012 Governor’s Cup Finals MVP Jeff Chan notched a three for his total of 11 to regain the lead for the PH, 51-48. Wright and the rest of the Jordanian missed those easy shots including free lay-ups. Points continue to fall for the PH, and De Ocampo converted with a buzzer beater three to list the biggest lead on the game at 12, 66-54.

Jordan made a little rally at the start of the quarter but PH hot shot Gary David fouled at the rainbow country, David dishes with 14 points. Jordan still managed to slice the lead into two points, 76-74. With Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado connection a former teammate in Welcoat/Rain or Shine, they extended their lead and added the trey of Larry Fonacier who also contributed with 10, which led to 83-74 and Marcus Douthit sealing the deal with a two-handed jam with 44 ticks left, 85-76.

The newly formed Gilas 2.0 is composed of some PBA players like Talk N’ Text Larry Fonacier and Ranidel De Ocampo, Alaska’s LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss and Mac Baracael, Meralco’s JR Reyes and Sol Mercado, Powerade and now Global Port’s Gary David, Reigning Governor’s Cup Champion Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine and the only San Miguel Corporation Player Enrico Villanueva of Ginebra. This also includes San Beda’s Garvo Lanete, newly recruit Matt Ganuela Rosser and the naturalized 6’10 center and original Gilas member Marcus Douthit and their mentor is former Talk N’ Text head coach Chot Reyes.

On the other game, Iran defeat Lebanon, 89-74, South Korea won over Taiwan B, 109-83 and Taiwan triumph against Japan, 82-57. Philippines' next game will be on August 19 as they face Taiwan Guang Hua at the same venue.