PHI – Casio take Douthit-less Smart Gilas into play-offs

MANILA (PBA Commissioner’s Cup) - Smart Gilas’ 98-97 nailbiting win over Powerade Tigers 98-97, secured thanks to Joe Casio’s scoop with 9.3 left on the clock, gave coach Toroman Rajko more reasons to smile than the play-offs place the Filipino quasi-National Team booked by virtue of their win.

For one, the Smart Gilas, using the PBA stint to prepare for the Olympics-qualifying 26th FIBA Asia Championship later this year, showed enough character and composure to rally from a 23-point deficit in the second quarter.

Secondly, it showed Casio and his teammates' ability to hold their own when faced with a counter-rally which the Powerade staged in the fourth quarter.

Most importantly, the win proved that the Smart Gilas can stand their ground against a time-tested combination in spite of the absence of Marcus Douthit.

Douthit, the 211-cm American who will don the Philippines colors as the naturalized player in future official competitions, was rested for the game – yet to completely recover from the ankle sprain he suffered during Smart Gilas’ Overtime defeat in the previous game.

But Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz combined well with Casio to take Smart Gilas to the win.

“This game showed that the team has a lot of quality players outside of Marcus (Douthit),” said Toroman.

“Marcus really makes a big impact, but this game will make everybody understand that our advantage is not just Marcus.”

Smart Gilas trailed 17-40 at one point in the second quarter before a 34-16 run in the third brought them back into the game.

Subsequently, they had to ward off a spirited Powerade rally in the fourth before eking out the win.

“These kids know how to play,” Toroman said.

“You saw the great games of Casio, Lassiter and Lutz.”

Casio led the scoring for the game with 29 points, including a 5/8 in three-pointers.

Lassiter had 21 points and Lutz 11. JP Aguilar provided the assistance under the boards collecting 11 rebounds.

“They (Tigers) defended box-in-one, diamond-and-two, man-to-man and a little zone,” Toroman said.

“Our big guys didn’t react well but the guys picked up the rhythm and played well. We reacted well in the end and I’m really satisfied.”

Import Martin Zeno’s 28 points was the highest for Powerade.

The defeat virtually ended Powerade’s chances of a play-off place.

Also exiting out of the play-offs race on Sunday was 18-time former champions San Miguel Beermen who lost in Overtime to their sister team 88-93 Derby Ace.

The Beermen, losing finalists the past two tournaments, suffered their sixth straight loss and seventh overall with only a win to show, eliminating them from the playoff picture they have been a part of the last 11 conferences.

FIBA Asia