Bad start for Gilas
PH loses to Canada in Jones Cup opener
Games Today (Taipei Peace Basketball Gymnasium) 11 a.m. – India vs South Korea 1 p.m. – Japan vs Iraq 3 p.m. – Lithuania vs Canada 5 p.m. – Chinese Taipei-White vs Iran 7:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Chinese Taipei-Blue
TAIPEI — The campaign of the young Gilas Pilipinas squad began on a sour note yesterday after absorbing a 90-77 loss to Canada’s 3D Global Sports in the opener of the William Jones Cup at the Taipei Peace Basketball Gymnasium here.
The Gilas team composed mostly of PBA rookies and amateur standouts did demonstrate the type of resilience against a tall and more experienced Canadians, but that resolve didn’t help them in the end.
Gilas, which is looking to give the Philippines its second straight title after Mighty Sports claimed the crown last year, fell behind by 13 points several times during the third period and in the early part of the fourth frame as Canada dictated the tempo of the match.
The Chooks-to-Go backed Filipinos rallied back behind Fil-Canadian Matthew Wright. The Phoenix rookie shot a three-pointer to trim Canada’s lead to eight points, 68-60, with 8:50 left.
Wright had another opportunity to further cut the Gilas deficit but a pull up jumper from behind the three-point arc rimmed up, and the Canadians took advantage of the situation.
A 7-0 run capped by a two-handed slam dunk from 6-foot-10 Michale Kyser off an alley-oop pass by Joey Haywood gave the Canadians a comfortable 75-60 advantage with six minutes to play.
Despite the loss, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes gave the young national team a passing grade.
“We’re very satisfied with our effort. I thought we came out, we played hard, we competed against a very, very tough, tall and athletic Canadian team,” said Reyes after the game.
“We knew coming in that we’re in for a huge battle. That’s why we are here, we’re here to learn, we’re here to grow, to play in this kind of tough competition,” added Reyes, whose also looking forward to the FIBA Asia Cup next month in Lebanon and the FIBA homeand-away starting November.
Reyes was right as the Nationals competed against a Canadian side composed of some bonafide players from the US NCAA Division 1 schools, including 7-footer Dallin Bachynski and Michale Kyser.
Bachynski played for Utah University, while Kyser, a 6-foot-10 forwardcenter, starred for Louisiana Tech University and is now with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA D-League.
Forward Garrett Williamson led all scorers for Canada with 15 points, while Haywood, Kyser and Deigo Kapelan each scored 12 points. Canada controlled the rebounding department, 40-26.
“You can tell that they’re working on development,” 3D Global Sports coach Kyle Julius, who played for the Canadian national team, said when asked of Gilas. “They’re very talented, I’m incredibly impressed. You can tell they’re disciplined with a mix of good outside shooters.”
Former college standout Kiefer Ravena came off the bench to lead the Nationals with 12 points, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. added 11 points, and Alaska’s Carl Bryan Cruz added 10 points.
Filipino-German Chris Standhardiner, who stands 6-foot-8, collected nine points with 10 rebounds in his Gilas debut, while import Mike Myers had a disappointing outing with seven points and nine boards.
NOTES: Chants of ‘Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!’ echoed at the venue when Kobe Paras – the youngest member of the national team at 19 – entered the game early in the second period. The 6-foot-6 son of former two-time PBA MVP Benjie Paras finished with four points and a shot block… About 200 Overseas Filipino Workers showed up to watch and support the Philippines… Gilas coach Chot Reyes brought 17 players here but – as tournament rules – 12 suited up while the five were in civilian clothes. They are Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Ed Daquioag, Alfonso Gotladera – all PBA rookies – and ex-pro Almond Vosotros.
– Williamson 15, Haywood 12, Kapelan 12, Smith 9, Wood 9, Friesen 8, Sutherland 5, Keith 4, Mordan 2, Bachyski 2.
– Ravena 12, Parks 11, Cruz 10, Wright 9, Standhardinger 9, Jalalon 5, Myers 7, Paras 4, Pogoy 4, Ferrer 3, Belo 3, Jose 0.
Quarters: 19-20; 44-34; 66-54, 90-77.