Gilas ‘has to finish strong’ as PH faces Iran in Jones Cup closer

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

TAIPEI – Out of the medal but already having gained a wealth of experience for his young players, coach Chot Reyes wants just one more thing as Gilas Pilipinas winds up its participation in the 39th Jones Cup Invitational.

“We have to finish strong,” Reyes said as the Filipinos lock horns with an equally young Iran side in the second-to-last game that takes the curtains down on this 10-team, nine-nation event at Taipei Peace Basketballl Hall on Sunday.

“We want to make sure that we finish this tournament on a high note,” he added as his squad – regarded as the Philippines’ future national team – take on an Iranian team that also left its veterans and best players back home.

“They have their upcoming players, just like us,” Reyes went on as the match takes place at 5 p.m. “It’s going to be a good test for both teams.”

The Philippines will take a 5-3 card into the game, having lost to Canada 150, South Korea and Lithuania, teams that are really stronger than Gilas on paper with the Canadians parading an all-pro team, the Koreans represented by their national squad and the Lithuanians simply bigger and more talented.

Iran left the likes of Hamed Haddadi, Mohammad Jamshidi, Mahdi Khamrani and Nikka Bahrami back home, trying to keep them fresh for the World Cup Qualifying starting in November.

Team Philippines has all the momentum it needs coming into the game, having torn India to shreds, 101-70 on Saturday after getting its lesser lights to deliver.

Almond Vosotros and Von Pessumal came off the bench to shoot 14 points each as Reyes was able to rest some of his starters. They four triples each in a combined 17 attempts that helped the Filipinos break away.

“We wanted to give a lot of minutes to the guys (young players),” Reyes said. “One of our objectives for participating here was to prepare our SEAG (Southeast Asian Games lineup) and Von and Almond are integral parts of that lineup.”

“We’re just thankful for the opportunity to play,” Pessumal, the former Eagle in the UAAP, said. “We knew our teammates were tired after seven straight games and we had the mindset of helping the team. We just stayed ready while waiting for the opportunity.”

Mike Tolomia, Ed Daquioag and Fonzo Gotladera also saw major minutes, with Carl Cruz giving out his usual contributions. All of them will be in Kuala Lumpur eyeing the Philippines’ 18th gold medal in the biennial meet.

“It was just a great testament to our players that they are ready despite not getting the minutes (in the past games),” Reyes said with pride. “That’s why we brought the kind of players we brought here – for depth.”

Tolomia played 25 minutes and finished with eight points and five assists.

The Scores:

GILAS PILIPINAS 101 – Wright 19, Pessumal 14, Vosotros 14, Standhardinger 10, Cruz 9, Daquioag 8, Tolomia 8, Jalalon 7, Jose 4, Myers 4, Gotladera 2, Ravena 2.

INDIA 70 – Gill 25, Pandi 14, Sivakumar 7, Poiyamoshi 5, Philip 5, G. Hafeez 5, Gill 4, Gowda 3, Reddy 2.

Quarters: 27-24; 54-31; 80-55; 101-70.