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TOKUSHIMA, Japan: It was the kind of opponent San
Miguel-Pilipinas was supposed to have played in the preliminaries,
not now when nothing but crumbs matter.
Letting itself loose from a tough
four-game stretch, San Miguel-Team Pilipinas vented its frustration
on hapless India, waylaying them 104-69 as the Nationals won their
second straight game in the classification stage in the Fiba Asia
Championships Wednesday at the Tokushima Municipal Stadium.
India kept the game close early
but the Philippines asserted their superiority in the third quarter
where they outscored the Indians, 35-14, to coast to their first
hassle-free triumph in the tournament.
The Philippines must next dispose
of Kuwait Thursday before setting up a possible rematch with China
on Saturday for the right to secure ninth place in the tournament.
The RP-Kuwait encounter is set 9
a.m. at the ASTY Gym, before the Nationals take a break Friday.
RP head coach Chot Reyes, who
celebrated his 44th birthday Wednesday, couldn’t have had a more
fitting present than getting the Philippines deeper into the
tournament. Instead, the best Reyes and his team can do is to repeat
against the Chinese—the two countries’ third game in less than
three weeks—and leave the tournament with their chins up.
“These are really the difficult
games to play because we’ve really prepared our minds to play at
this point for higher stakes,” Reyes said. “However, there’s a
job that remains to be done and we’re going out there to finish it
the best way we can.”
Reyes didn’t have the luxury of
a full 12-man roster against India with injuries hitting Kelly
Williams (hamstring) and Mark Caguioa (hype-rextended shoulder).
Jimmy Alapag, who experienced stiff neck overnight, also didn’t
suit up. For the China game, only Alapag has the best chance of
seeing action among the three.
“This campaign has gone from
gaining an Olympic berth to gaining respect,” Reyes added.
“Hopefully, we can compete with China given the manpower we
have.”
When pressed to ask for his
birthday wish, it was obvious what Reyes wanted the most.
“I wish we didn’t have that
Greek referee,” the RP head coach cracked then took it back.
“Well, maybe my first wish is I wish we weren’t in Group A.”
“Seriously, it’s been very,
very hard. This must be saddest birthday ever. But looking at the
bright things, we have to count our blessings. I’m here with my
players. My family’s OK. I have great kids. I have great friends.
Who are we to complain? We’re sad, we’re disappointed, we’re
very hurt. But life goes on.”
“But seriously, my wish is the
program is not a one-shot deal. I’m not saying I wish it to be me.
All I’m saying is for the program to go on and honestly for the
Philippines to regain its foothold in Asian basketball.”
Scores:
SMC-RP 104–Seigle 23, Norwood
23, Ritualo 18, Hontiveros 14, Taulava 14, Raymundo 6, Pennisi 3,
Menk 3, Helterbrand 0.
INDIA 69–Kadam 12, Raj S. 11,
Krishnasamy 9, Yadav 7, Raj T. 7, Singh J. 7, Singh D. 6,
Mukkanniyil 5, Uddin 5, Shiv 0, Padavetiyil 0, Muraleekrishna 0.
Quarters: 25-18; 47-41; 82-55;
104-69
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