Pilipinas beat UAE comfortably, 144-110
After a slow start, the team managed to overcome UAE and beat them by 34pts. 1 error in GDP may have contributed to the slow start. The team was led by the captain Leorio Lovino with 40pts & 4asts after shooting 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. 6 players scored in double figures with Jiffrey Sumalapao chipping in 23pts, 10asts and 5rebs. Melvin Chan almost had a triple-double with 20pts, 11rebs and 9asts. Off the bench, the trio of Melecio Sidad, Raymund Duraliza and Delfin Orais combined for 43pts, 15rebs, 6asts, 3stls and 3blks. Honorable mention to Pete Libron who added 4pts, 22rebs and 4asts.
Pilipinas crunched Australia in a last gasp effort, 98-86
In a last ditch effort, team Pilipinas needed to beat Australia by at least 40pts. However, even with more effort put up, we were only able to outscore them by 12pts thanks to a comeback that started in the middle of the 3rd quarter. The team was led by Jiffrey Sumalapao with 30pts, 6rebs, 5asts. Raymund Duraliza also put up 27pts, 3rebs and 2asts. Leorio Lovino had a quiet but still put up 12pts, 6rebs, 8asts, 2stls and 1blk. Pete Libron had himself a double-double, 10pts, 11rebs, 5asts and 3blks.
Although we won our last two games, finishing with a 3-2 record, the loss against Iran proved to be pivotal as they were able to keep the 3rd place in the group with a point differential of +25 against our +19. Australia also ended up with a 3-2 record but they kept a +75 point differential to secure them the 2nd spot to the semis.
With our season over, I will proceed to start scouting for possible future call up. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank fedco paper for trying to keep Jacinto Estorninos in great shape throughout his tenure in the National Team (NT). He played his last NT game against Iran 2 weeks ago and will end his NT stint with 90 total caps.
Maraming salamat sa lahat nang patuloy na sumusuporta sa NT at kitakits next season sa Consolation Tournament.
Laban Pilipinas!