Smart Gilas pips Qatar in friendly; Toroman wants more from the offense

MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas Pilipinas has satisfied coach Rajko Toroman with its smothering defense on Qatar but so much work needs to be done on the other side of the floor.

“Offensively, we didn’t play good. We’re not fluid. We should be more precise, more movements,” said Toroman after the national team defeated Qatar, 69-52, in an exhibition Thursday night at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Nationals fired eight three-pointers and churned out respectable figures in the two-point zone (19 of 42 for 45 percent) and yet Toroman wasn’t pleased with the outcome, at least in offense.

Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams, two Talk N Text mainstays loaned to Smart Gilas, are still feeling their way through Toroman’s system while Ranidel De Ocampo, another TNT key player, is slowly getting into the groove.

“This is the first time for some of the players,” said Toroman, referring to the TNT trio.  “We can see that they’re not yet in best shape.”

“We have a few more days to put them in shape. I’m confident that we’ll get better and better every day,” he added.

The Filipinos took a break Friday while Qatar and Jordan faced each other in the series of tune-up games designed for the PBA stars to get into rhythm in time for the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China on September 15-25.

“But I have to admit our defense was great,” said Toroman.

Smart Gilas scored in bunches right in the first quarter, 21-6, and padded the lead to 27 points in the third on successive threes by Marcio Lassiter, De Ocampo and Alapag.

Qatar, which missed Dallas Maverick draftee Targuy Ngombo due to a minor leg injury, didn’t force the issue and just concentrated on running its offensive patterns.

Naturalized guard Chauncey Leslie, Qatar’s starter at point, also rode the bench, allowing backup Saeed Ali to run the show.

“They’re a tough team, they’re athletic,” said Toroman.

Bracketed in Group D with China, UAE and Bahrain in the Asian championship, the Philippine five could meet Qatar in the knockout stages.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit has been nursing back problems while backup guard JV Casio, this year’s PBA top rookie pick, came in plain clothes to rest his knee.

Toroman said Casio, who injured his left knee in the Jones Cup last month, should get limited minutes against Jordan this Friday and Qatar again on Sunday.

THE SCORES:

PHILIPPINES 69 – Alapag 11, De Ocampo 9, Lassiter 8, Ababou 7, Tiu 6,
Douthit 6, Lutz 6, Barroca 5, Williams 5, Aguilar 4, Taulava 2,
Ballesteros 0, Baracael 0.

QATAR 52 – Ali S. 10, Saeed 9, Hassan 8, Elhadary 8, Ali A. 8, Ndour
7, Salem 2, Shaer 0, Sow 0, Ndiaye 0.
Quarters: 21-6; 33-18; 57-32; 69-52.