Lebanon sends Gilas to crucial duel with Iran

TAIPEI – Lebanon brought Smart Gilas to school with a harrowing 91-72 rout yesterday that snapped the Nationals’ unbeaten run in the 34th Jones Cup and dealt the Phl side with a severe blow on its morale as it plays Iran today.

Marcus Douthit got into foul-trouble early and the Nationals failed to establish any rhythm without an inside presence and fared miserably entering the homestretch of the nine-day international tourney at the TPEC Gymnasium here. 

The loss relegated Smart Gilas to joint second with the US squad at 4-1 and could dampen the team’s spirit going to its keenly awaited showdown with three-time defending champion Iran at 3 p.m. today.

Earlier in the day, the Americans sprang back from their loss to the Iranians Wednesday, spanking the Japanese, 95-73.

The Iranians should have no problem handling Chinese Taipei B in their game set late last night.

“Obviously, we got outplayed by Lebanon. They came in with a solid game plan and we had our butts kicked,” said national coach Chot Reyes.

He, however, took the experience with a grain of salt, saying: “It’s a best lesson learned.”

“We have to learn playing successive games. Our players are not used to it and it showed in this game. Our shooters can’t make their shots. They have no spring in their legs. If we can’t make our outside shots, we don’t have a chance to win because of our (short) ceiling,” he explained.

The returning national mentor also stressed the need for Douthit to be smarter with the 6-foot-10 center limited to playing 21 minutes due to fouls.

“He also got into early foul trouble against Jordan and against Japan. He must understand his value, he must understand how important that he stays on the floor,” said Reyes.

With Douthit in and out of the game, the Lebanese, starring former Meralco import Jarrid Famous and sweet-shooting wingman Elie Stephan, dominated the Filipinos and chalked up only their second win against four losses.

“I think we’ve been improving game after game. And with everybody depressed at home, we came out to prove a point. We showed pride to rebuild our national team,” said Stephan, the leader of the Lebanese team here with star player Fadi El-Khatib left at home to attend to his wife and a newborn child.

Team manager Georges Kelzi said they’re bringing in El-Khatib and two other key players in their campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup in Tokyo next month.

Famous, Lebanon’s new reinforced player taking over from Jackson Vroman, outperformed Douthit, churning out 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The whole Lebanon team worked very well to get the rebounds and clicked on other fronts as well, thus, utterly dominating the Filipinos.

With a torrid shooting on the break and on halfcourt offense, the Lebanese led 74-46 after the third quarter and stretched it to 78-46 in scoring the first two baskets in the final period.

With Douthit picking up a fourth foul with 4:26 left in the third and Gilas trailing by 38-61, Reyes opted to rest him in the entire final period.

A poor 3-of-16 three-point shooting didn’t help Gilas’ cause. It was Gilas’ worst shooting in a game here.

The scores:

Lebanon 91 – Stephan 28, Famous 26, Nour 14, El Khatib 12, Kanaan 4, Akl 3, Martinez 2, Iskandar P. 2, Souaid 0, Iskandar R. 0.

Smart Gilas 72 – Norwood 15, Mercado 11, Douthit 11, Tenorio 6, Ganuelas 6, David 5, Lanete 4, Thoss 4, Villanueva 3, Chan 3, de Ocampo 2, Fonacier 2.

Quarterscores: 22-15, 43-32, 74-46, 91-72