34th Jones Cup: Gilas survives Taiwanese shootout

It's Showtime!

UNBERIBABURRRRYAAAAH! (read: Unbelievable!)

Pilipinas, known for its one-on-one forays and dribbling exploits, survived yet another shootout this time against Chinese Taipei which all but guarantees our team a medal-finish in the 34th William Jones Cup. Tonight, the team did it in a "my turn, your turn" fashion by hacking out a 76-72 win over Chinese Taipei who were playing in front of their home crowd.

Quite funny how the Taiwanese came in full force to cheer the home team and heckle ours--most likely unaware that this select team has heard worse from Ginebra fans (them being all non-SMC guys). That being said, it was a great game with back and forth action. Jeffrei Chan carried us early, drilling in threes that would make Allan Caidic proud.

Then came the mid-game offensive lulls that Pilipinas has been suffering all throughout this series which allowed the Taiwanese to come back and take the lead. To our opponents' credit, they started clogging the driving lanes to keep Pilipinas outside. Problem was, our team decided to take its foot off the pedal and settle for jumpers-- playing to the Taiwanese ploy.

Thankfully come 4th quarter, L.A. Tenorio channeled the spirits of Johnny Abarrientos, Jimmy Alapag and even JVee Casio to put together an impressive and dominating stretch of threes and a mini teardrop for good measure. The Taiwanese courageously tried to fight back, but Pilipinas was coming up with solid plays none bigger and more confident than Gary David, who was shooting bricks all night, taking a fastbreak three with 40 seconds left to make it a 76-70 game.

Had David missed, fans would've gotten on his case but there was a lot going into that shot. David was probably under orders to fire away to ensure that Pilipinas would get the last possession (40 seconds minus 24 for the opponents leaves us with 16 seconds to play with so the quick shot was a great ploy because it gives us time back). Just a ballsy play right there that is a testament to David's reputation as a big time scorer.

Areas to improve on? That damn mid-game scoring drought is starting to become a trend. When Sol Mercado is unable to get to his scoring spots (he's clearly been scouted by this time) and David is taking time to heat up-- it often spells the demise of Pilipinas' offense. Sonny Thoss is also being exposed out there, unable to become a scoring presence that our guards could drop off to and also a little slow on getting the rebounds. Since he's only in there to spell Marcus Douthit or Ranidel de Ocampo, Thoss needs to keep being aggressive and worry about starting a ruckus later. He's been blessed with a bunch of fouls-- he needs to give away at least 3 a game.

There's only one game left (tomorrow versus the United States) and a victory would result in a Jones Cup Gold medal after a long dry spell for Philippine basketball. Win or lose, this current crop of players who were assembled with only three weeks to left before the start of the tournament, has truly over-achieved and continues to restore pride in our brand of basketball. A few more pieces here and there and who knows, we might just be able to break back into the FIBA-Asia Top 3.

Laban Pilipinas!