source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph
Smart Gilas wanted to end its campaign on a bright note, but Purefoods was a tough nut to crack.
The Philippine developmental pool dropped its final tune-up game in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup, bowing to the Giants, 81-99, on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Roger Yap led the Giants with 16 points, while James Yap added 14 for the Giants.
The young squad, coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman, ended its guest stint in the All-Filipino tournament with three wins and seven losses.
The three wins were scored at the expense of Coca-Cola (98-93), Rain or Shine (96-89) and San Miguel Beer (109-96).
“It was a good experience for the team and this will help us in the long run,” said Toroman, whose team departs on Thursday for a Middle East tour to be capped by its participation in the prestigious 21st Dubai Invitational Basketball Tournament slated from January 14 to 23.
Toroman’s team will play the best clubs in the Gulf and will face its former player CJ Giles, who is in the lineup of a Lebanese commercial team. Giles was scrapped in theSmart Gilas roster because of attitude problem.
Before the Dubai joust, Smart Gilas will also play friendlies with the national teams of Qatar and Kuwait on January 8 and 12, respectively.
Nino Canaleta and Romel Adducul each had 11 markers for Purefoods, which took advantage of the absence of American reinforcement Jamal Sampson, who sat out the game because of a back injury.
Behind Kerby Raymundo’s six points in the first period, the Giants jumped the gun on the national team and took a 32-18 advantage after the first 12 minutes.
Adducul unloaded nine of his total output in the second canto, as Purefoods extended its advantage to 54-38.
Roger Yap then took charge in the third as he poured half of his output in that stage to erect a 74-57 cushion. The Giants never threatened since then.
Skipper Chris Tiu led Smart Gilas with 18 points, while Japeth Aguilar added 12. Mark Barroca chipped in 11 points, while Dylan Ababou and Mac Baracael each had 10 points for the national team.
Games January 6 (Araneta Coliseum)
1st game — Purefoods def. Smart-Gilas, 99-81
2nd game — Sta. Lucia def. Rain or Shine, 95-91
3rd game — Ginebra def. Talk N' Text, 105-82
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