INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - The Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team took a huge step toward proving it has what it takes to represent the country by routing Powerade Team Pilipinas, 98-69, in a defining exhibition match late Monday evening that did more than just raise money for victims of a recent tropical storm.

Smart Gilas, a flock of international basketball neophytes, also showed a large Araneta Coliseum crowd that putting a premium on teamwork pays off.

?They have excellent players,? said Gilas coach Rajko Toroman, referring to Powerade?s crew of PBA stars. ?Maybe we don?t have these kinds of players, but we worked as a team.?

Ex-Powerade reinforcement Japeth Aguilar drilled in 24 points, including three three-pointers, while CJ Giles dominated the paint with 22 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks and two assists to power Smart Gilas against an overmatched Powerade frontline.

The younger Nationals also moved the ball well and hit their mark from the outside courtesy of Dylan Ababou, Mac Baracael, JVee Casio, Mark Barroca and team skipper Chris Tiu.

?It?s a nice win because it gave confidence to the players,? said Toroman.

Smart Gilas grabbed 60 rebounds against a mere 36 by Powerade. Toroman?s squad also had 29 assists against the 12 dished off by the wards of coach Yeng Guiao.

Dubbed as ?Pinoy Basketbol Kakampi Mo,? the event raised over P2 million in gate receipts and individual donations, primarily from businessmen-sportsmen Mikee Romero and Manny V. Pangilinan.

The scores:

SMART GILAS 98?Aguilar 24, Giles 22, Baracael 10, Ababou 9, Casio 8, Barroca 8, Tiu 7, Ramos 6, Ballesteros 4, Cawaling 3, Sison 0.

POWERADE RP 69?Yap 17, Dillinger 12, Thoss 9, Miller 9, Taulava 5, Arboleda 5, Raymundo 5, Norwood 3, De Ocampo 2, Baguio 2, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 23-19, 49-36, 72-58, 98-69