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| Photo courtesy of TeamPilipinas.nfo |
Leading the charge and ultimately setting the tone was center Marcus Douthit. He was aggressive right from the opening buzzer, demanding for the basketball and just shooting over counterpart reinforcement JR Sakuragi and Joji Takeuchi. This was the Douthit that we were accustomed to, not the 12 and 10 one we saw in the first rounds who was happy to just wait for his turn in the offense. From jumpshots to jumphooks, Douthit was relentlessly attacking which helped open up the floor for Gilas.
Following the lead of their prized big man, Gilas went to work from the outside with Ranidel de Ocampo (poorly scouted by the Japanese it seems) and Larry Fonacier taking turns. Hell, those three guys did enough to cover up for Jayson Castro and Gabe Norwood who weren't connecting as always.
Come 2nd half, instead of taking their "foot off the gas," Gilas kept the pressure on. They played the entire 3rd and 4th quarters and save for maybe a four to five point mini run by the Japanese, would always make sure that they responded in kind.
From there, it was only a matter of time before another Gilas shooter, Jeffrei Chan, went to work with the Japanese busy trying to clog the paint or lost in switches.
Some notable adjustments:
- Gary David coming off the bench (as we've been praying for). It took the pressure off him and Gilas was able to get into a rhythm right from the start because they were simply moving the ball instead of relying on David to go one-on-one or force feed the struggling star. Shooters Fonacier and Chan were able to get going early as well instead of being the 2nd and 3rd options at SG.
- Gilas went to the post. The first play featured Marc Pingris posting up a Japanese defender before kicking it up top to the high post to Douthit for the open jumpshot. The next couple of plays, Douthit took to attacking the paint with a variety of spin moves and hooks.
- Pingris held his own against the taller Japanese frontliners including ex-American standout JR Sakuragi. This allowed Gilas to play honest defense all night long, not having to worry about trying to double team down low or regrouping and recovering out to three point shooters.
- Filipinos love the underdog, in this case, Gary David. We may call him out and make fun of him from time to time with his woeful performance, but we are 100% behind the guy and Gilas Pilipinas through and through.
Some notable adjustments:
- Gary David coming off the bench (as we've been praying for). It took the pressure off him and Gilas was able to get into a rhythm right from the start because they were simply moving the ball instead of relying on David to go one-on-one or force feed the struggling star. Shooters Fonacier and Chan were able to get going early as well instead of being the 2nd and 3rd options at SG.
- Gilas went to the post. The first play featured Marc Pingris posting up a Japanese defender before kicking it up top to the high post to Douthit for the open jumpshot. The next couple of plays, Douthit took to attacking the paint with a variety of spin moves and hooks.
- Pingris held his own against the taller Japanese frontliners including ex-American standout JR Sakuragi. This allowed Gilas to play honest defense all night long, not having to worry about trying to double team down low or regrouping and recovering out to three point shooters.
- Filipinos love the underdog, in this case, Gary David. We may call him out and make fun of him from time to time with his woeful performance, but we are 100% behind the guy and Gilas Pilipinas through and through.
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