Jordan 5 turns back Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Jordan leaned on its defense to fuel its running game as it turned back Smart Gilas Pilipinas, 83-75, in the 2010 Smart Philippine Invitational Challenge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last night.

Zaid Abbas poured in 21 points he spiked with 13 rebounds and four assists while Mousa Alawadi fired 13 points sending the Jordanians to their second straight win.

“Despite us playing without our big men, we still managed to win and I’m happy that we won,” said Jordan coach Mario Palma, who played for the first time against fellow Olympic coach Rajko Toroman.

Naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit led the Filipinos for the second straight day by scoring 18 points while Marcio Lassiter and JV Casio, both back from knee injuries, chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively.

But it wasn’t enough though to neutralize the Jordanians, who led by as many as 21 points after capitalizing on the Filipinos’ miscues.

Jordan and Smart Gilas, however, may still meet in the Sunday’s final if the former beat winless Dongguan tonight.

In the first game, Talk n Text used its heft and experience to neutralize a gangling Dongguan side of China and pull off a 75-68 victory.