Gilas avenges loss to LSU Baltai

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas got back at LSU-Baltai, overcoming the Lithuanians’ torrid shooting for a close 90-88 win in the penultimate game of their two-week Lithuanian basketball odyssey.

Marcus Douthit delivered 22 points with Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro and Gary David adding at least 10 points each as the Filipinos outfought the home team in the crunch to avenge the lone defeat they suffered in their first six tune-up games in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

Gilas was to end its Lithuanian training with another game versus Bistrono Jazz-Diremta last night.

“Barely beat d young LSU team playing w/out imports, 90-88. They finished 2nd to last in Lith 1st Div,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes on his Twitter account.

”Got LSU back, but wow on their tall, quick release shooters. They were shooting over our outstretched arms. Tough game. Luckily, we converted on the crucial plays in the end game,” said assistant coach Josh Reyes on his own Twitter page.

Behind its hot outside shooting, LSU-Baltai topped Gilas Pilipinas, 89-86, in their previous meeting Monday.

The Lithuanians again rained treys on Gilas in their rematch, but the Filipinos stood their ground, countering with a balanced game to score revenge.

Larry Fonacier and Japeth Aguilar had key contributions for the Filipinos who bucked the Lithuanians’ 12-of-32 three-point shooting.

Sarunas Vingelis rifled in four treys, Vidmantas Sragauskis fired three, Arunas Sakalauskas and Arunas Vasiliauskas added two each and Laimos Miksys one for the home team.

After the hard game and with the arena already empty, the Filipinos stayed around, doing shooting drills.

The Phl training pool is scheduled to return to Manila Tuesday, five weeks before the start of the 2th FIBA Asia Championship.

Over in Turkey, 2007 and 2009 FIBA Asia champ Iran bowed to the host team, 63-71, in their own friendly.

The Iranians failed to shake off the 2010 FIBA World Championship silver medalists despite solid games from main men Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Hamed Haddadi and Hamed Afagh.

Bahrami, considered by many as the best player in the region, churned out 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds, Haddadi chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds while Afagh added 10 markers.

Meanwhile, Jordan dropped its own tune-up match versus Algeria, 52-58.