PHI - Philippines await Douthit

MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The roof was lifted off the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on Tuesday night, and then moments later the floor fell out.

Spurred by a sell-out crowd baying for blood, the Philippines played at a frenetic pace that Qatar - who had all the answers in their first four games - could not find an antidote for.

A 24-23 edge with seven minutes remaining in the second term was transformed into a game-winning 18-point half-time lead when Jim Alapag, Jeff Chan and Gary David all nailed crowd-bursting triples.

When centre Marcus Douthit scored six of his 19 points to open the third term the margin had reached 23 points and the arena was ready to explode.

But moments later there was a stunned silence as the giant Douthit lay motionless on the floor holding his knee.

"He's going to have a check-up tomorrow, we don't know, I hope it is just a bruise," coach Chot Reyes said without any overt optimism.

The prospect of losing their pivot was amplified by the fact their stirring win over Qatar has possibly set up a date with China in the Quarter-Finals.

"We were fully aware of this, but there was no way we were not coming out with our best tonight," Reyes said.

"Not with all those people in the stands and their expectations. If it so happens we play China in the Quarter-Finals so be it. We just have to find a way to play like this to give us a chance."

The Philippines know their pace is a test for any team, inspirational power forward Ranidel de Ocampo saying "there's no time to get tired", but Reyes revealed there was literally a twist to those words.

"People don't know that Ranidel actually has an MCL (knee injury), he shouldn't be playing," he said.

"He said last night there is no time to be tired, what he also meant is there is no time to be injured."

Having watched his team perform so strongly during the first five days, Reyes is confident they can cover their injury woes with the 12-deep approach that has served them well.

"We are under no illusions, we don't have four or five guys who can carry the team, we've got to have everybody playing well," he said.

But in the back of his mind, Reyes knows if Douthit's injury does rule him out, some divine intervention might be needed to claim a spot on the dais and progress to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

"Let's just pray it's nothing serious," he concluded.

FIBA