"I guess it has to do something with the tough competition we joined in Las Vegas," said SMB-Philippines coach Chot Reyes, referring to his wards’ five-game stint in the recent Global Hoops Summit in Las Vegas. "We’ve seen the value of the bench as everybody delivered for us."
Brandon Cablay proved himself a valuable addition to Reyes’ rotation, coming away with 17 points and serving as a reliable backup to playmaker Jayjay Helterbrand.
Helterbrand, whom Reyes regards as the best point guard back home, added 12 points, capping his brilliant performance with his superb handling of the team’s offensive plays that resulted in a series of scintillating fastbreak plays for the Nationals.
Helterbrand scored nine straight points that somehow averted the Nationals’ impending meltdown while Dondon Hontiveros secured the victory by firing eight points.
"But more than anything else, we are slowly seeing the potential of this team. The more we can get everybody involved, the more chances we win the game," added Reyes, who was part of the coaching staff of the Philippine team that won the gold medal in 1998.
The Nationals came up with guns blazing in the first 20 minutes of play, racing to a 47-29 lead at the half.
Starring in that RP surge were Cablay, Helterbrand and Romel Adducul, who made a good account of himself underneath against taller, heftier opponents.
In a stretch, the Nationals thought they had heard the last of the Qataris but found themselves severely threatened when their rivals fought back to close to within four, 52-56.
But Hontiveros and Helterbrand came through with clutch baskets to ensure the victory as the Philippines joined opening day winners Chinese-Taipei, Korea and Russia.