FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Smart Gilas Pilipinas failed to sustain its winning ways in the 24th Dubai Invitational Basketball tournament, absorbing an 82-97 setback against home team Al Ahli Sunday (Manila time) in Dubai.
With a squad composed of mostly college standouts, the inexperience bubbled to the surface as the Nationals played catch up the entire game.
“The team’s immaturity showed tonight. Couldn’t handle playing versus three ex-NBA vets,” said national team head coach Chot Reyes on Twitter, in reply to Kelly Williams’ tweet.
“Tambak, 97-82. My fault. I inexplicably lost my voice 5 mins into the game pa lang. Gone. Just like that. Couldn’t coach well the rest of the way,” Reyes (@coachot) also said.
Only Garvo Lanete and KG Canaleta wound up with double digits for Smart Gilas, who let Al Ahli’s imports Leemire Goldwire and Leroy Hurd explode with 24 and 21 points, in that order.
Lanete and Canaleta combined for 22 points while naturalized center Marcus Douhit, who had 20 in their opening 79-77 victory, only had nine points this time.
“Sorry for the loss. I should [have] been smarter and more of a leader. Never too old to learn,” said Douthit on his Twitter account (@DouthitMarcus).
The Nationals, staring at a 58-79 deficit towards the start of the payoff period, were able to bring the lead down to 14 late in the fourth but the run was easily thwarted by Ah Ahli.