Gilas rules MVP Cup

Gilas Pilipinas drew big contributions from its main guns and beat an undermanned Taiwan squad, 9077, to complete a sweep of the Master Game Face MVP Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Andray Blatche, Asi Taulava, Terrence Romeo, and Calvin Abueva led the charge as Gilas ran roughshod over the Taiwanese cagers to rule the four-team pocket tournament ahead of the FIBA Asia Championship which starts on Sept. 23 in Changsa, China.

“It was successful not just because we ended up winning it (MVP Cup), but because we got good challenges,” said Gilas Coach Tab Baldwin.

“We had tough games and we played different styles of basketball in all three games… for us there were lots of benefits to come out of the tournament, We’re obviously thrilled with the result,” added Baldwin.

Blatche finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds in his best performance of the three-day cagefest, Taulava added 13 markers, Romeo had 12 points and four assists while Abueva came off the bench to score 11 points for Gilas.

The Nationals began the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas-organized tourney by drubbing Talk ‘N Text before rallying from a double-digit deficit to beat New Zealand club Wellington Saints to earn the top purse of $25,000.

A jumper by Abueva gave Gilas its biggest lead at 81-61 with 7:33 remaining before Taiwan made it interesting by pulling within 83-75 on long-range bombs by Lu Cheng Ju.

But baskets by Ranidel De Ocampo, Abueva and Sonny Thoss foiled the Taiwanese comeback to complete the sweep.

Baldwin, however, is still raising concerns over the team’s form before the Asian Championship, especially after beating a Taiwanese side that was missing pony-tailed center Tseng WenTing and naturalized player Quincy Davis III and Lin Chih-Chieh playing limited minutes.

“The biggest thing that concerns me right now going to (FIBA) Asia is that there’s going to be some very professional team there,” said Baldwin. “I feel like we’re not yet as professionals as we need to be.”

Gilas is leaving today for Cebu to undergo a five-day camp, a trip Baldwin described as a way to put the team into seclusion.

Earlier, Wellington smashed Talk ‘N Text, 101-78, to secure a second place finish.

Blatche 18, Taulava 13, Romeo 12, Abueva 11, Pingris 8, Hontiveros 7, Ganuelas 6, David 3, De Ocampo 3, Thoss 2, Norwood 1.

Lu 23, Chen SC 11, Liu 10, Tien 9, Chen SN 8, Tsai 8, Chen SH 6, Davis 2, Hung 0, Liu CC 0, Wu 0.

Quarters: 27-15; 46-34; 73-59; 90-77.