Smart Gilas Pilipinas had bowed down from the visiting NBA All Stars but not without a tough fight. The Philippine National Basketball Team was defeated by the Smart NBA All Stars with the final score at 98-89. The visiting All Stars had dominated the first three quarters of the game not until the Nationals have regained their form and bounced back during the fourth and final quarter in which they gave the NBA superstars a scare.
The smallest guy on the court, JV Casio led the rally of the National Team unleashing an 11 points fourth quarter game. The teamwork that the Nationals have showed during the fourth quarter was witnessed by the visiting NBA superstars. Star point guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets was so impressed with the way the nationals demonstrated their teamwork. He was quoted as saying “This team is prepared, they run plays,” said Paul. He further adds that “They’re really good” according to Paul while interviewed during a break in the fourth quarter.
The visiting NBA All Stars which was lead by 5-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant who also acts as the playing coach gave the Nationals a more serious game. During the third period, Bryant had been posting up against his smaller defenders which was a clear indication that the NBA players had taken the game seriously. Superstar Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder was also serious in posting up against the Filipinos instead of throwing some long distance shot.
The teamwork and coordination of the Smart Gilas National Team have been felt by the NBA stars, the Nationals have unleashed some three points shots from Dondon Hontiveros, whopping slam dunk from Japeth Aguilar, inside the paint maneuver by Marcus Douthit and play making capabilities of JV Casio and Jimmy Alapag.
Some of the highlights of the game was the slam dunk made by Japeth Aguilar in front of NBA superstar Kevin Durant. The alley-opp (–foul word(s) removed–)ist made by Tiu to Aguilar ending in a monstrous dunk. Meanwhile JaValle McGee have made a total of six slam dunks out of 14 made by the NBA All Stars.
Kobe lead the scoring for the NBA All Stars with 17 point, McGee and Durant with 16 points. The other NBA stars have also provided points for the Smart All Stars. The Smart Gilas National Team was lead in scoring by L(–foul word(s) removed–)iter with 16, Douthit with 14, Lutz have 12 and Hontiveros added with 11 points.
The Philippine National Baskeball Team may luck in height but the high spirit that they have showed during the game have put more confidence on each and every members of Smart Gilas. They have been working together for almost three years in preparation for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Round. Smart Gilas have been reinforced by some of the toughest role players from the PBA that will add experienced to the team.
Here is the video replay of Smart Gilas vs. NBA All Star:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32VehxjgDbo[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwhFaLIBabc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0r1BVx7dsc[/youtube]