SMART RP 5 WINS INVITATIONAL IN CHINA
by Ronnie Nathanielsz

The Smart Pilipinas National Team made up of young players from the SBP Developmental pool has scored its first big win abroad by beating the Li Ning basketball team in the finals of the 1st China-Asean CBO Men’s Invitational Tournament before a packed brand new Pinggou Arena in Guangxi, China.

Fil-American Joey Deas who traces his roots to Cebu and FEU guard Mark Barocca stood tallest in a game against a bigger and more experienced Chinese squad in an exciting 76-72 triumph under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman who is also Project Director of the National Team which is separate and distinct from the all-pro PBA team coached by Yeng Guiao which will compete in the FIBA qualifying tournaments next year.

5’10” point guard Deas from Rockhurst University in Kansas and Zamboanga’s 5’9” Barocca scored crucial baskets against the taller Chinese to help quell a spirited rally by the hometown team who clawed back from a 15 point halftime deficit only to be thwarted by Deas and Barocca who combined for a total of 37 points.

Under the present plans of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas the RP Developmental Team will represent the Philippines in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games, the 2010 Asian Games in China and the 2011 Fiba Asia Men’s Championships which will serve as the qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Li Ning, behind an average height of 6’6” dominated the boards 44-33 but the Filipinos more than compensated for the disparity with a crippling defence that limited the Chinese to a miserable 2 of 15 shooting from beyond the arc and forced 14 turnovers.

The Smart-RP 5 on the other handshot a high 48 percent from the field and made 15 of 21 free throws although getting the bad end of foul calls, 26 to 16.

Toroman who formed the squad some two and a half weeks ago was happy about the win saying “it was a tough and definitely sweet victory. I challenged the boys to show their true character and they did. We did not expect to win right away so this is a very good start for our program.”

SBP executive director Noli Eala said “it is hard to play before a hostile crowd and under these conditions. But this victory is truly special. It is not every day that you win against China in their own turf. We are happy with the progress of this young team.” However, Eala conceded “there is still a lot of work ahead.”.

As expected the game was played before a large, partisan crowd with top local officials in attendance. Li Ning stormed to an early 6-0 lead but Deas answered with six straight points to tie the count. Despite the chilly conditions the RP squad which is bankrolled by Smart and outfitted by Nike controlled the pace of the game to take an 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The

The Filipinos continued the momentum and at the end of the half were up 41-27 and behind a smooth running game and a stifling pressure defence went ahead by 15 points, 50-35 before Li Ning which had 5 China Basketball Association All Stars in their line-up banked on 6’10” center Gao Wei to trim the lead to a mere seven points, 50-43, midway through the third quarter. But Deas responded by scoring 7 of his team high 19 points in the pivotal third quarter to give the Filipinos a 58-47 cushion going into the final quarter.

The Chinese were eager to protect their reputation as the powerhouse in Asia and Gao combined with 6’4” point giard Nong Jie for a big 909 rally that cut the Filipinos lead to just 2 points, 58-56 with 7:16 remaining.

But the spitfire Deas was not to be denied answering with 6 straight points to provide an eight-point spread 64-56 before the Chinese made another 11-4 run behind sweet-shooting Hu Bin to come to within one, 68-67. After Dylan Ababou scored as the clock shot was about to expire to give the RP squad a 70-67 lead, the Filipinos looked in trouble when Gao scored, drew a foul from Fil-Am Greg Slaughter and converted to tie the score at 70-70 with 1:03 left to play.

Diminutive point guard Barocca then took charge scoring on a crucial jumper to ease the Filipinos in front 72-70, time down to 47 seconds. After Hu split his charities on a Mac Baracael foul the Chinese had a final chance to grab the lead on a botched play by the RP 5. But the gallant young Filipinos were not to be denied as Ogie Menor stole the ball from Hu setting up a Barocca fastbreak to make it 74-71 with 32 seconds remaining. Gao once again split his charities with 15 seconds to play before was fouled and made no mistake for the final 76-72 count.

Deas led the team with 19 points, shooting 80 percent from the field while issuing 3 assists. Barocca finished with 18 points and Ababou 15. Slaughter pulled down 4 rebounds to go with 4 blocked shots and 9 points. China was led by Gao who had 32 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists while Hu has 15 points and Nong 9 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists.
Bos Scores-

Pilipinas: 76

Deas 19, Barocca 18, Ababou 15, Slaughter 9, Menor 6, Baracael 4, Cawaling 3, Theophile 2, Sison 0, Arellano 0

China: 72

Gao 32, Hu 15, Nong 9, Cui 6, Wei 6,Wang 4, Liao 0,

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