Castro stars as Gilas PH turns back Kazakhstan

IN ITS final exhibition match before the Fiba Asia tournament, Gilas Pilipinas gave a glimpses of its strengths.

And this time, coach Chot Reyes’ worries were more on a few health concerns.

The national squad brought down Kazakhstan, 92-89, last night, using its shooting and running game to the hilt at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“From this point onward, it’s about getting ourselves mentally sharp,” said coach Chot Reyes after the victory, which saw Gilas Pilipinas drawing 20 points from Jayson Castro.

Castro and big man Ranidel de Ocampo, however, suffered sprains during the game, something that gave Reyes a little concern.

“That’s the problem when we push too hard, we open ourselves to getting hurt,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s nothing.”

Jeff Chan provided the shooting touch for the national team, knocking in 20 points also to share scoring honors with Castro.

Gilas Pilipinas plunges into Fiba Asia action against Saudi Arabia on opening of day of the tournament that stakes three berths to the World Championship in Spain next year.

“Hopefully we didn’t divulge too much of our game plan because it is important to keep a few things close to our chests,” said Reyes, whose wards are grouped with Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei and Jordan.

“We don’t want to overlook Saudi,” said Reyes. “We’re preparing hard for Jordan and Taipei. The scores: GILAS PILIPINAS 92— Castro 20, Chan 20, Fonacier 14, Alapag 12, Douthit 9, Tenorio 5, Fajardo 5, Aguilar 5, David 2, Norwood 0, Pingris 0, De Ocampo 0, Belga 0.

KAZAKHSTAN 89— Johnson 17, Ponomarev 16, Kilmov 13, Murzagaliyev 12, Yevstigneyev V. 9, Dvirnyy 7, Zhigulin 7, Bondarovich 6, Yargaliyev 2, Sultanov 0, Yevstigneyev M. 0, Bazhin 0.

Quarters: 26-22, 51-53, 76-70, 92-89