Smart Gilas ties series vs Vegas stars

MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas Pilipinas erased an 18-point third quarter deficit and shocked IMPACT All Stars, 128-122, yesterday to tie their exhibition series, 1-1, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Skipper Chris Tiu exploded with 25 points with the bulk coming in the third quarter when the Nationals clawed back from that huge deficit to steal the win.

JV Casio fired 16 points while fellow collegiate standouts Dylan Ababou and Mark Barroca chipped in 16, 15 and 11 points, respectively, to beat a team composed of former three-time NBA All-Star Antoine Walker and prospective top 10 draft picks Alonzo Gee and Robert Vaden.

CJ Giles, who will be tapped as RP’s reinforcement in the 20th FIBA-Asia Champions Cup slated Dec. 12-20 in Jakarta, Indonesia, had another superb effort with 19 points.

The 6’11” Giles had 15 points and nine rebounds in a 92-105 defeat in their first game.

“The win was a confidence booster,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala. “We needed to prove to ourselves that we are competitive against tall, experienced and tough opponents.”

The team, mentored by SBP Olympic project director Serbian Rajko Toroman, is using the games as part of its buildup for the import-laced FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas is also using that stint to see if Giles could fit in with the team.

“It also gave us a breakthrough with CJ Giles as we have seen how naturally talented he is. I can’t say we are 100 percent ready but we are well on our way,” said Eala.

Giles will return with the team on May 1 before leaving on May 10 for the nine-day event, which will feature 10 tough squads headed by defending champion Marham Iran. – Joey Villar