RP beats Syria

TOKUSHIMA, Japan – Reeling from its heartbraking ouster from the group elims, the SMC-Philippine team struggled past Syria at the start of the FIBA-Asia men’s championship classification round at Asty Tokushima yesterday.

Thirteen hours after being eliminated from the quarterfinals, the Nationals groped for form and rhythm but found a way to beat the Syrians, 107-100, in overtime.

The RP quintet goes up against India also at 9 a.m. at the Tokushima Municipal Stadium. (Related stories on Page 18)

“These are the games that are tough to play, and I have to commend my players for staying there. I doubted my players were emotionally ready to play after the loss to Jordan,” said RP team coach Chot Reyes.

“But I know that this team will not be short in fighting spirit. When we signed up and comitted to play for the national team, we signed up to take the whole experience, both pleasant and unpleasant,” Reyes added.

Aware that the RP squad was on low morale, the Syrians tried to exploit the situation by coming out strong but fell short of their bid in the end.

“We knew that the Philippines is a very strong team but they might be drained coming from tough games in their group. It did show they’re not in their usual selves but still better than us. The Philippines should have been in the Final Four,” said Syrian coach Samer Kayaly.

Jimmy Alapag erupted for 32 points on 8-of-16 field-goal shooting and 15-of-16 free throws as the Talk n Text heady guard paced the Nationals in scoring for the third straight game.

Meanwhile, Group of Death top qualifier Iran opened its bid in the quarterfinal round with a 76-64 rout of Chinese-Taipei.

Two-time champion Korea later on topped Jordan, 70-65.

In other consolation round games, it was China over Hong Kong, 93-69; Kuwait over India, 72-68; and Indonesia over United Arab Emirates, 83-81.

Asi Taulava made his presence felt at the paint as he came through with a double-double showing with 17 points and 15 rebounds with Mark Caguioa contributing 16 points, Danny Seigle 15, and Dondon Hontiveros 11.

Seigle, though still hobbled with a leg injury he suffered against Iran, found his shooting touch, sparking the Nationals’ key run in overtime.

The Nationals had a chance to win it in regulation play but Hontiveros missed a game-winning three-point try with two seconds left in the contest.

The team had anxious moments earlier as the Syrians threatened, 86-88, on two free throws by Wissam Yakoub with time down to 1:36.

A split from the line by Kerby Raymundo and a barreling drive by Alapag brought Team Philippines back into the lead at 89-88 with 33 ticks left.

But the Syrians tied the count at 89-all as “Bra-Syrian” star guard Micheal Madanly nailed a charity off a foul by Raymundo 15 seconds later.

Madanly figured in a fierce shootout with Alapag, making 33 points.

The scores:

SMC-RP 107 – Alapag 32, Caguioa 16, Seigle 15, Taulava 15, Hontiveros 11, Ritualo 6, Raymundo 5, Menk 5, Norwood 2, Williams 0, Helterbrand 0.

Syria 100 – Madanly 33, Alsaman 27, Yakoub 16, Alkatib 12, Hasaballah 7, Abdallah 5, Labes 0.

Quarterscores: 18-24; 38-35; 65-65; 89-89 (reg); 107-100.