Gilas sweeps Euro U-20 champion Lithuania

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas repeated over Lithuania’s 20-under team, 88-84, on Thursday night for the Nationals’ fourth win in five games in their training camp in Palanga, Lithuania.

In what Gilas head coach Chot Reyes described as a “physically intense match”, the Nationals held their ground against the Euro 20-under champs.

Criticized by their local media for losing the first of the two tune-up games against Gilas, 75-83, the Lithuanians came out smoking in their rematch.

The Lithuania's 20-under team started strong taking a double-digit, 25-15, in the opening quarter. But Gilas came charging back in the middle quarters holding the Lithuanians below 20 points to overhaul the 10-point deficit and eked out a morale-boosting sweep of the Lithuanians.

Marcus Douthit led Gilas with 27 points while Gary David and Ranidel de Ocampo chipped in 17 and 12, respectively.   The team played without Marc Pingris, who rested a strained shoulder.

“Strong and spirited start by LTu20 (Lithuania 20-under team). Good thing we managed to adjust and get the win,” Gilas assistant coach Josh Reyes said on his Instagram account (@joshreyes8) after the game. “Still lots to improve on! Gotta keep on getting better!”

The Nationals spread the wealth by combining for 24 assists and containing their turnovers to just seven. The Lithuanians still led at the break, 39-36, but Gilas outscored them, 25-18, in the third frame as they sat on a 61-57 cushion entering the fourth period.

Lithuania’s 6-7 swingman Tomas Lekunas scored 24 points while their top playmaker Vaidas Kariniauskas added 23 in a losing effort.

The elder Reyes said that Gilas will wind up their training camp with two more games, one more than their original schedule.

“Instead of one, we’re playing two more games (Friday and Saturday) to simulate the three straight game schedule of FIBA. So total of seven games here,” Reyes posted on his Twitter account (@coachot).

Gilas will have a rematch against LSU Baltai, the team that gave them their only loss so far, before capping off their Lithuanian trip with another game against Birstono Jazz Diremta on Saturday.