Qatar crushes Smart Gilas; settles for fourth
By Jon Christopher R. Obice
A more determined effort from the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas was not enough as they flunked to fourth place for the second time in the bronze medal match after bowing down to Qatar, 79-63, in the 4th Fiba-Asia Cup held in Ota Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
Despite another loss from the Qatar nationals, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chair Manny V. Pangilinan still expressed optimism for the winless Philippine national team.
“What can I say, but try again next time,” Pangilinan said.
Former Talk N’ Text and new Gilas coach Chot Reyes said his players only gave a struggling 11 percent for the three-point shots and only 11 out of 17 free throw attempts were successful.
“We didn’t lack the effort, we just couldn’t score. The bottom line is, even if we play great defense, we still have to make baskets,” said Reyes.
In year 2010, Qatar bagged the bronze medal.
Gilas’ effort fired up early in the first quarter with an eight-point lead but was quickly thwarted by Qataris center Mohd Mohammed who finished with 17 points for Qatar.
Key players Marcus Douthit and LA Tenorio both received injuries, giving a lopsided win for the taller Qataris team.
Douthit was sent to the bench early in the second quarter for a twisted left ankle who followed Tenorio’s immediate substitution after his left hamstring was injured.
Big man Ranidel de Ocampo also suffered from a left ankle sprain in the third quarter.
De Ocampo and Tenorio both did not return in the third quarter of the game.
The winless Team Philippines flew home last Sunday, joining their respective teams in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Quarter scores:
QATAR 79—Mohmmed 17, Johnson 16, Abdi 14, Saeed 10, Daoud 7, Salem 5, Elhadary 4, Mohammed 4, Ali 2.
SMART GILAS-PILIPINAS 63—Douthit 17, David 15, Dillinger 12, Norwood 10, De Ocampo 4, Fonacier 3, Tenorio 2, Thoss 0, Chan 0, Villanueva 0.
A more determined effort from the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas was not enough as they flunked to fourth place for the second time in the bronze medal match after bowing down to Qatar, 79-63, in the 4th Fiba-Asia Cup held in Ota Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
Despite another loss from the Qatar nationals, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chair Manny V. Pangilinan still expressed optimism for the winless Philippine national team.
“What can I say, but try again next time,” Pangilinan said.
Former Talk N’ Text and new Gilas coach Chot Reyes said his players only gave a struggling 11 percent for the three-point shots and only 11 out of 17 free throw attempts were successful.
“We didn’t lack the effort, we just couldn’t score. The bottom line is, even if we play great defense, we still have to make baskets,” said Reyes.
In year 2010, Qatar bagged the bronze medal.
Gilas’ effort fired up early in the first quarter with an eight-point lead but was quickly thwarted by Qataris center Mohd Mohammed who finished with 17 points for Qatar.
Key players Marcus Douthit and LA Tenorio both received injuries, giving a lopsided win for the taller Qataris team.
Douthit was sent to the bench early in the second quarter for a twisted left ankle who followed Tenorio’s immediate substitution after his left hamstring was injured.
Big man Ranidel de Ocampo also suffered from a left ankle sprain in the third quarter.
De Ocampo and Tenorio both did not return in the third quarter of the game.
The winless Team Philippines flew home last Sunday, joining their respective teams in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Quarter scores:
QATAR 79—Mohmmed 17, Johnson 16, Abdi 14, Saeed 10, Daoud 7, Salem 5, Elhadary 4, Mohammed 4, Ali 2.
SMART GILAS-PILIPINAS 63—Douthit 17, David 15, Dillinger 12, Norwood 10, De Ocampo 4, Fonacier 3, Tenorio 2, Thoss 0, Chan 0, Villanueva 0.