Gilas shows it’s ready for Seaba
LAPU-LAPU CITY – Gilas Pilipinas showed glimpses of what it can do in the coming SEABA Championship, coming from behind to repulse the PBA Visayan selection, 125-112, at the close of the 2017 PBA All-Star Week at the Hoops Dome here last night.
Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva, Team Phl’s fantastic duo in the 2015 Changsha FIBA Asia joust, fuelled Gilas’ searing fightback from a 15-point deficit on the way to the 13-point triumph that spoke well of what they do in time of crisis in the SEABA tilt set May 12-18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Abueva came through with 26 points and seven rebounds while Romeo collected 25 markers, four assists and two rebounds for the Nationals who also got huge lift from June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy.
Romeo, who provided the spark in their rally then got away with clutch plays to help seal their win at the finish, won the Cloudfone All-Star MVP honors.
The GlobalPort hotshot sizzled with 13 points as he starred in their second-quarter charge to come to within three, 59-62, at the half.
Abueva, a returning Gilas player after being left out of the Gilas team to the 2016 Manila Olympic qualifier, took over in the second half, pouring in 21, including a string of 11 markers to close the third period.
The PBA Visayan side gave the challenge Gilas needed, getting off to a strong start and leading by 15 at 42-27.
LA Tenorio led the team with19 points while James Yap and Jeff Chan combined for 35 points with each one firing five treys.
But the Nationals showed mental toughness and resilience as they did in their similar comefrom-behind win in the Lucena leg of this AllStar Week sponsored by HMR Trading Haus, Mueller, Peak, Crystal Clear, Anako, Davco, Smart and Petron.
In the series opener in Cagayan de Oro, Gilas and the Mindanao select team fought to a 114-114 stalemate.
The scores:
Gilas Pilipinas 125 – Abueva 26, Romeo 25, Fajardo 18, Rosario 14, Pogoy 10, Maliksi 9, Castro 7, Jalalon 6, Aguilar 4, Wright 4, Almazan 2.
Visayas All-Stars 112 – Tenorio 19, Yap 18, Chan 17, Ross 13, Devance 10, Hontiveros 9, Quinahan 7, Taulava 6, Cruz 6, Ellis 6, Al-Hussaini 1, Tubid 0.
Quarterscores: 21-34, 59-62, 89-92, 125-112