The Philippine team had won against the team with a height advantage and experienced by relying on their running game and tough defense. They win with a score of 76-74 in an emotionally intense game against Jordan. The system that Serbian coach Rajko Toroman put into the team was being performed well by the Smart Gilas Pilipinas players.
At around 1:09 remaining time for the fourth and final quarter, the Philippine Team had made a very important defensive stop that gave the Jordanian a forced shot from the outside. The missed shot keeps both team struggling for the lost ball but Baracael came to the rescue and secured the ball possession with a monstrous rebound.
Ball possession for the Smart Gilas which was almost stolen, but JV Casio keeps his composure when the shot clock was winding down to just five seconds. He eluded his guard, goes straight to the basket and made one of the biggest shot of the game, a floater against a 7 footer made by the smallest guy on the court.
The shot gave the Philippine Team a four-point advantage at 70-66 with 28.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Jordan called for their final and last time-out of the game. Once again Smart Gilas showed their tough defense and a missed shot from the 3-point area gave Smart Gilas the ball possession.
A foul was given by Jordan to the Macio L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter that gave him a trip to the free throw line. All two free- throws sink in, the only two points given by L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter that came at the right time. It gave a 6 point advantage at 72-66.
Hitting important free throws down the stretch made Philippines at the top and finally win the much coveted number 1 spot to lead the Group A in team standing with 4-0. The Jordanians had hit two 3-pointers and a quick 2 points a total of 8 quick points but was not enough to steal the win.
Dondon Hontiveros who had celebrated his birthday on the day of the game had showed his shooting prowess with 23 points in the ball game accounting for 6 three pointers. That was the reasons why his presence in the Smart Gilas Team was needed by Coach Toroman besides from his experienced and tough defense.
Leading the ASU Jordan Team was American Jameel Watkins with 25 points. The The Philippine Team Smart Gilas will then face the Al-Jala’a of Syria for a cross-over Quarterfinals of the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup.