Gilas slams Singapore, stays unbeaten
Gilas Pilipinas took on another hapless rival and made it worthwhile as it sharpened its weapons for the tougher games ahead.
In another lopsided show, Gilas Pilipinas blasted Singapore, 113-66, last night to notch win No. 2 in the 2017 SEABA Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Chot Reyes made good use of the opportunity to nurture the culture they’re trying to develop in their buildup for the coming FIBA Asia World Cup qualifying series.
Andray Blatche and June Mar Fajardo played long minutes when they’re on the floor together with the former striking from inside and out while the latter struck underneath the basket.
Then there’s a variety of combinations running their offense and trying different defensive schemes.
“We’re not running much offensive patterns but we tried different combinations, even playing without a point guard. This game affords us this opportunity,” said Reyes, unsatisfied, though, on what he felt less hustle numbers they produced compared to their 147-40 demolition of Myanmar on opening day.
They play a third straight game tonight against Malaysia at 7 p.m., with Reyes expecting some test.
“Malaysia is a tough defending team. They’re young but athletic, and I like their spunk,” said the Gilas coach.
Earlier, Thailand and Indonesia, two teams that could put the toughest resistance against the powerhouse home team, rolled past separate rivals in gearing up for their crucial faceoff at 3 p.m. today.
The Thais blew over the Vietnam squad, 76-51, while the Indonesians soared past the Malaysians, 63-42.
Not unlike their first game, the Nationals sent the Singaporeans down on their knees right in the opening quarter, 31-9, behind starters Blatche, Fajardo, Allein Maliksi, RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro.
Pogoy, a Gilas rookie, continued to show great promise, leading their hot start with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting in the first period.
And the Nationals hardly veered away from what they wanted to do and accomplish in the next three quarters.