Alab gets back at ‘tired’ Gilas as two teams split tuneup games

Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas settled for a split in their pair of tuneup games against Alab Pilipinas, after falling 93-89, on Monday night at Meralco Gym.

The national team pool played without two of its big men in Greg Slaughter and Troy Rosario due to injuries and their absence coupled some of the players’ tired legs after seeing action in the PBA Governors’ Cup a night before compounded the squad’s woes against a game and promising Alab side.

“They’re a very good, tall, athletic, strong team. I don’t wanna make an excuse but I thought we played a little tired tonight,” said Gilas coach Tim Cone shortly after the closed-door scrimmage. “They also did some things that we weren’t prepared for.”

Roger Pogoy led the Nationals with 14 points but missed a pair of 3-pointers in the final seconds that would’ve given his team a chance to steal the game.

June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar added 12 points each while Matthew Wright chipped in 11.

Kiefer Ravena, who was added to the pool last week, saw action and had two points.

Gilas beat Alab, 98-95, in their first exhibition last Monday.