Smart Gilas Pilipinas NT bows down to Meralco Bolts in OT, 91-87.
Even the Meralco Bolts is no longer fighting for a play-off spot in 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup, they've fought until the last drop of blood, sweat and tears and forced the game into OT to defeat Smart Gilas Pilipinas NT last night in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Bolts' import Champ Oguchi leads the charge with 21 points, scored the last 10 points in extra time that gave them a victory with a record of 3-6 win-loss in mid-season tourney.
Smart Gilas, on the other hand, wound up with a 7-2 card, opening opportunity for Talk n Text (7-1) to gain top honors at the close of the short one-round-robin elimination phase.
The Texters go for it versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the penultimate play date of the elims at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
But whatever is the result of the Talk n Text-Ginebra game, the Texters and the Nationals are assured of the top two spots that reward them outside seeding in the semifinals.
Despite that, the Nationals also waged a big fight but fell short in their bid versus the determined Meralco team.
The Bolts squandered a six-point lead at the finish in regulation play but kept their poise, composure and aggressive stand to beat Nationals in OT.
Up by only two at 89-87 in the closing seconds, Meralco made a crucial defensive stoppage then ran a quick transition play with Oguchi at the finishing end as the Bolts preserved the win.
The Bolts fought the Nationals toe-to-toe with Sol Mercado, Reynel Hugnatan, Macmac Cardona and Gabby Espinas also delivering big numbers for the team.
They shook off a slow start, rallying from a 10-point deficit in the first quarter and engaging the Bolts in a furious battle to the end.
The Nationals forced the extension play as it fought back from 74-80 down in the last two minutes on clutch baskets by Jayvee Casio and Marcus Douthit.
In an attempt to send the game into second OT, the Nationals also went to Casio in their final play.
The former La Salle Archer, however, missed on a drive then Douthit muffed a tip-in.
A good tap by Reynel Hugnatan sent the ball to Chris Ross whom then pushed it to Oguchi for an uncontested shot making it 91-87 with only 10 ticks left. (SB)
The scores:
Meralco 91 – Oguchi 21, Mercado 16, Hugnatan 15, Cardona 11, Espinas 11, Weinstein 5, Taulava 4,Ross 4, Isip 4.
Smart Gilas 87 – Lassiter 22, Casio 20, Douthit 14, Aguilar 10, Barroca 10, Lutz 6, Ramos 3, Slaughter 2, Ababou 2, Baracael 0.
Quarterscores: 17-27, 42-42, 61-58, 80-80 (reg.), 91-87 (OT).
PS:Even though Smart Gilas lost in their final match of the eliminations, I'm still proud of them. They should focus now on intensive training and creating plays because the semis match is going to be a tough one. And some of the Gilas' critics are speculating that they've intentionally gave away the match for Meralco Bolts. Yo PBA Fantards! Do you have any evidences that Gilas has intentionally dropped their last match? Show me your proof!
Bolts' import Champ Oguchi leads the charge with 21 points, scored the last 10 points in extra time that gave them a victory with a record of 3-6 win-loss in mid-season tourney.
Smart Gilas, on the other hand, wound up with a 7-2 card, opening opportunity for Talk n Text (7-1) to gain top honors at the close of the short one-round-robin elimination phase.
The Texters go for it versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the penultimate play date of the elims at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
But whatever is the result of the Talk n Text-Ginebra game, the Texters and the Nationals are assured of the top two spots that reward them outside seeding in the semifinals.
Despite that, the Nationals also waged a big fight but fell short in their bid versus the determined Meralco team.
The Bolts squandered a six-point lead at the finish in regulation play but kept their poise, composure and aggressive stand to beat Nationals in OT.
Up by only two at 89-87 in the closing seconds, Meralco made a crucial defensive stoppage then ran a quick transition play with Oguchi at the finishing end as the Bolts preserved the win.
The Bolts fought the Nationals toe-to-toe with Sol Mercado, Reynel Hugnatan, Macmac Cardona and Gabby Espinas also delivering big numbers for the team.
They shook off a slow start, rallying from a 10-point deficit in the first quarter and engaging the Bolts in a furious battle to the end.
The Nationals forced the extension play as it fought back from 74-80 down in the last two minutes on clutch baskets by Jayvee Casio and Marcus Douthit.
In an attempt to send the game into second OT, the Nationals also went to Casio in their final play.
The former La Salle Archer, however, missed on a drive then Douthit muffed a tip-in.
A good tap by Reynel Hugnatan sent the ball to Chris Ross whom then pushed it to Oguchi for an uncontested shot making it 91-87 with only 10 ticks left. (SB)
The scores:
Meralco 91 – Oguchi 21, Mercado 16, Hugnatan 15, Cardona 11, Espinas 11, Weinstein 5, Taulava 4,Ross 4, Isip 4.
Smart Gilas 87 – Lassiter 22, Casio 20, Douthit 14, Aguilar 10, Barroca 10, Lutz 6, Ramos 3, Slaughter 2, Ababou 2, Baracael 0.
Quarterscores: 17-27, 42-42, 61-58, 80-80 (reg.), 91-87 (OT).
PS:Even though Smart Gilas lost in their final match of the eliminations, I'm still proud of them. They should focus now on intensive training and creating plays because the semis match is going to be a tough one. And some of the Gilas' critics are speculating that they've intentionally gave away the match for Meralco Bolts. Yo PBA Fantards! Do you have any evidences that Gilas has intentionally dropped their last match? Show me your proof!
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