Taulava, Hontiveros defy Father Time, play for Gilas one last time

MANILA, Philippines -- Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros were not supposed to play this way.

But sometimes, great things were born out of desperation. 

Gilas coach Tab Baldwin just gambled on the 42-year old big man when the Wellington Saints burly center Brian Davis was having a field day putting Moala Tautuaa in foul trouble.  Hontiveros, who had a bout with a swelling knee in the early part of the training camp, also found himself playing extended minutes with Calvin Abueva saddled with four fouls. 

The Kiwis were having their way against a lethargic Gilas defense, which came up short in a nine-point loss to defending FIBA Asia champion Iran barely 24 hours ago. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Baldwin threw all caution in the wind and gambled on putting his senior statesmen on the floor to get some momentum going heading into a big game against a US selection on Saturday.

The American-Kiwi coach got more than what he bargained for.  

Taulava ended up piling up all of his 10 points and six boards in close to 19 minutes in the second half while Hontiveros caught fire in the overtime to propel Gilas to an improbable comeback from a 16-point deficit late in the third quarter. 

"It was supposed to be my rest day, but heck, I can’t let my brothers down," Taulava said. 

"I didn't want to play him (Asi) at all," Baldwin said during the post-game conference. "But he gave us a boost in the second half."

Baldwin had the crucial USA game in mind in preserving Taulava's energy.

But the grizzled veteran came off the bench and helped Gilas neutralize Davis, who led the Kiwis with 31 points and 13 rebounds. 

"That's a 42-year old guy, let me remind you. But when I asked him to perform, he was ready, not only for effort but play intelligently," Baldwin added. "He's really a great example."

Gilas passed the test and responded well against adversity in pulling off a statement 92-88 overtime win against the Wellington Saints of New Zealand for their fourth win in six games in the 37th William Jones Cup. 

Hontiveros preserved his fellow 2002 national team batchmate Taulava's big second half effort with three triples in the overtime to complete Gilas' mighty comeback. 

"Timing na timing lang na pumutok tayo. I was really waiting for the time to help the team, and it came today, and in overtime," said the 38-year old gunner known as the Cebuano Hotshot. 

He finished 21 points on 5-of-9 three-point shooting in a tournament-high 28 minutes. 

"I can't remember the last time I played as hot in one stretch. I'm glad it came again when I am here with Gilas. I'm glad to help," Hontiveros added. 

He was so hot that he scored all but three of the 14 points Gilas chalked up in the extra time. 

While Father Time is about to catch up on the two veterans, who started playing for the national team in the 2002 Asian Games, they are just happy for the opportunity to serve the country for one last time.

For Taulava and Hontiveros, it's not about length of time they have played for the flag and country.  But it's all about the court smarts and the size of their hearts.