By June Navarro, Inquirer - PBA stars Asi Taulava of Meralco, Dondon Hontiveros of Air21, Talk ‘N Text’s Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams reinforced the Philippine five in an unexpectedly close 98-89 defeat to a star-studded NBA cast headed by Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose.
“This is the first time we played with these PBA players and you can see the potential of a complete team,” said Toroman.
Though power forward Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text didn’t get to show his wares due to a broken nose bridge, Toroman said the integration of the PBA and the Smart Gilas core that every hoop junkie saw on Sunday was an indication of good things to come.
Alapag and Williams practiced with the team only twice prior to the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend but the blend of PBA standouts and team mainstays transformed a perceived blowout into a tight encounter down the wire.
“We just need time and games together to be really competitive in Asia,” said Toroman.
He added the presence of the PBA stars has lent experience to the team and energized his mainstays composed of skipper Chris Tiu, JV Casio, Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou, Jason Ballesteros and naturalized center Marcus Douthit.
“Coach (Toroman) really believes that this team could win a medal in the Fiba Asia and these players showed their potential against the NBA stars,” said Smart Gilas assistant coach Charles Tiu.
The national team is preparing for the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, on Sept. 15 to 25 where the champion automatically qualifies for the 2012 London Olympics.
From an 18-point deficit opening the fourth, the Nationals rallied to within 89-96 in the final minute on JV Casio’s three-pointer.
The inspiring plays of the Filipinos drew praises from Bryant, a five-time champion and twice Finals MVP from the Los Angeles Lakers, and NBA all-star Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, who teamed up in the gold-winning US “Redeem Team” in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
MVP Sports Foundation director for basketball and Smart Gilas finance officer Butch Antonio said all the NBA players, except for Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, left the country Monday and on Sunday night.
Antonio said Evans would spend a couple of days here before going home.
