34th Jones Cup: Gilas now 3-0

Hello Asia, his name is Gary David.
He plays shitty defense, but on offense?
Well, ask Korea. :) 

Regardless if South Korea opted to send a club team (think of it as the Philippines sending Petron or Talk 'n' Text plus two reinforcements) to the 34th William Jones Cup, let us all enjoy and savor this sweet and hard-earned 82-79 victory over our FIBA tormentors.

Though we coasted to a quick 14 point lead in the first quarter, the Koreans fought back behind their two imports Juan Patillo (think of him as a more athletic, stronger and young version of Jordan's Rasheim Wright) and 7"0 giant Gary Stutz. Their locals, physically taller and stronger than the Pilipinas select team, were also playing like they usually do-- calm, knocking down shots and moving the ball around instead of dribbling the shotclock off (which we kept on doing).

Pilipinas finally surrendered whatever lead it had in the first half come the third quarter, with naturalized center Marcus Douthit hitting the bench-- obviously taken off his game by the bigger Stutz down low and also because he was being forced to extend all the way outside by Coach Chot Reyes to keep in step with natural wingman Patillo. It's never a pretty sight when you ask a 6"11 center to try and stay in front of 6"7 athletes.

But then, the most amazing thing happened.

Coach Chot Reyes sent in an odd bunch (defensively) of Gabe Norwood, Larry Fonacier, Sol Mercado, Sonny Thoss and Jeff Chan-- they were completely outsized man for man and at first look appeared to be Coach Chot's way of waving the white flag.

But then, Norwood decided to turn up the defense another notch (which he is quite good at, offense and playing PG is another thing), Mercado had his eyes locked at the rim and Thoss was doing a yeoman's job of pushing and shoving guys off the paint to try and secure rebounds. This resulted in a bunch of turnovers for the Koreans (who didn't appear to have a natural point guard) and helped Pilipinas claw their way back by the 4th quarter.

You all know how close 4th quarters versus the Koreans goes. We've seen so many of this time and again. But not today. Gary David, who was blowing defensive rotations and assignments left and right, did what he was brought in to do-- take ballsy shots. David suddenly waxed hot from all over the court and the Koreans, though getting nice looks at the basket (and the lion's share of calls from the referees), just couldn't make squat.

What gave Pilipinas the win? Norwood's elite-level defense that would make Rain or Shine teammates Jireh Ybanes and Ryan Arana proud, David's clutch baskets to atone for his early mistakes (there were many), Mercado's bull strong dribble-drive exploits (although he did dribble the ball off his foot a bunch of times) and Douthit being sent to the bench in the 3rd which led him to reassess what needed to be done on the floor and just get the job done.

Overall, this team is winning on talent and heart. The plays aren't there yet, too many unforced turnovers not because of unfamiliarity but because they're usually over-passing. Yes. Over-passing. Sometimes, when the shot is there, you just need to take it right away without hesitation.

Laban Pilipinas!