Smart Gilas Pilipinas NT lost to Barangay Ginebra Kings, 97-96 in 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup Semis.

News feed courtesy of www.teampilipinas.info.


Nate Brumfield held his own against the bigger and stronger Marcus Douthit, powering Barangay Ginebra past Pilipinas-Smart Gilas in a 97-96 come-from-behind win in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Despite getting outplayed by the 6-foot-11 naturalized Filipino inside the paint, the undersized Ginebra import matched the towering Douthit point by point and got the better end of his match-up by coming through with clutch baskets and big plays in the endgame.

The 6-foot-2 look-alike of teammate Willie Miller scored the Kings' last five points, including a completed three-point play off a Marcio Lassiter foul in the final 18.3 seconds that put the league's most popular ballclub on top for good, 97-95.

Ginebra tries to post a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series when Game 2 is played Sunday also at the Big Dome.

Brumfield matched Douthit's total output of 31 points and grabbed the offensive rebound off Miller's two missed free throws in the last 4.4 seconds, preserving the win for the Kings.

Mark Caguioa topped all Ginebra locals with 16 points, and together with Brumfield, initiated the Kings' rally from an 82-88 deficit in the final four minutes of play.

"We're older, we're smarter, we're vets. They're younger and have the fresh legs. But that doesn't mean they can outrun us. That doesn't mean hindi namin sila kayang sabayan," said Caguioa.

Douthit had a chance to tie the game with 5.1 seconds left, with Smart Gilas trailing by two.

But Douthit, a 46 percent free throw shooter, missed the front end of his foul shot before making the second to cut the deficit to 96-97.

In all, Douthit was 5-of-12 from the 15-foot line.

The Nationals then deliberately fouled Miller and the Ginebra guard appeared ready to wrap things up for the Kings.

But he also flubbed both attempts, before Brumfield came to the Kings' rescue by grabbing the offensive board.

Mac Baracael finished with 21 points for Smart Gilas, while Mark Barroca had 15 as the two conspired early in the fourth, allowing the Nationals to take control of the match, 77-74, on a Baracael three-pointer.

The Nationals last tasted the lead at 95-94 on a split by Chris Tiu, who had 12 points. - JVP, KY, GMA News

The scores: (2nd game)

Ginebra 97 - Brumfield 31, Caguioa 16, Hatfield 13, Cortez 8, Miller 8, Wilson 7, De Ocampo 6, Tubid 4, Labagala 2, Mamaril 2, Wilson 0, Intal 0.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas 96 - Douthit 31, Baracael 21, Barroca 15, Tiu 12, Lassiter 6, Casio3, Lutz 2, Slaughter 2, Ramos 2, Aguilar 2.

Quarters: 23-23, 44-45, 70-70, 97-96.





On the other news, Smart Gilas Pilipinas NT goes to the lighter bracket in 2011 FIBA-Asia Champions Cup. 




source: Abac Cordero | philstar.com

Given the right to choose, Smart Gilas Pilipinas head coach Rajko Toroman naturally went for the lighter group in the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

It’s not so strong that’s why I chose that group,” he said during yesterday’s draw for the tournament set May 25- June 5 at the Philsports Arena.

As host, the Philippines had the right to pick its group. Toroman was given three minutes to decide but needed just a few seconds to make his choice.

Toroman went for Group A where the Philippines will contend with Jordan, Malaysia, Japan and the Middle Asia representative – either Kazahkstan or Afghanistan.

Landing in Group B were the powerhouse teams, including defending champion Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

All the best teams in this competition are in Group B,” said Toroman after the draw witnessed by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chief Manny V. Pangilinan.

As FIBA Asia deputy secretary-general Hagop Khajirian was waiting for Toroman’s decision, Pangilinan broke the silence by saying, “We are choosing Group C.”

It brought some laughter inside the room, at the 42nd floor of the Discovery Suites in Ortigas. Of course, there’s no Group C in this 10-nation tournament.

Toroman said those in Group B will have to bleed to get to the quarterfinals, with Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Qatar fielding their top players plus two imports.

In Group A, maybe we can build our confidence. We will have a tough time in the quarterfinals because any of the teams we will play there will be very strong,” said Toroman.

In our group they don’t have all the national players. It’s not easy but it’s definitely easier than Group B,” said the Serbian coach of Smart Gilas Pilipinas.

The draw was held at 2 p.m. and in just a couple of hours Toroman had to call the shots for the Smart Gilas team that faces crowd favorite Ginebra in the semis of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

He was asked if he would rather have his players slow down a bit, and risk suffering any injury heading to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

“I don’t know what slowing down means. I don’t know how to play slow down. We will still try to win tonight. We will still give it our best,” he assured.

Toroman said it’s very difficult to face Ginebra because of its crowd support, but said he hoped that all these fans will root for them in the Champions Cup.

He described the forthcoming tournament as a “small goal” for the Smart Gilas team, because the bigger goal is to qualify to the 2012 London Olympics, through the FIBA Asia Championship in September.






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