Gilas Pilipinas Box Score and Video link here.

Video courtesy of Gilas 4.0

Enjoy.

Gilas Gets Back at China 72-69: Thoughts on the Win

After getting shellacked for two straight games (against Turkey and Italy), Gilas Pilipinas finally accomplished two things: prune their pool to a final 12 lineup for the Olympic Qualifying tournament and get a win.

Gilas Pilipinas faced a Chinese team lacking their three biggest guns in Yi Jianlian, teen sensation and recent NBA draftee Zhou Qi and Guo Ailun. Still, a win is a win and Gilas can take heart in the fact that China can never take them for granted ever again.

That being said, here are four thoughts from that game:

Gilas can win, even with their main guns having bad games.

Andray Blatche had a double-double (14points, 12 rebounds) but he was a horrible, horrible 4-19 from the field (4-13 from 2pt land, 0-6 from beyond the arc). Jayson Castro was able to get inside the paint numerous times but still seemed to have a mental block against the Chinese big men, as his shots just couldn’t find the bottom of the net (2-7 from the field). Still, the silver lining of their bad games is that other Gilas players stepped up to contribute and help get the win. But make no mistake; Gilas Pilipinas can’t afford to have either Blatche nor play as bad as this against teams like France or New Zealand.

China 75, Gilas 60!

What seemed to be a rout turned into a spirited game due to the Gilas nationals' never-say-die spirit.

Gilas had a great 4th quarter, forcing the Chinese into fouls, grabbing their fair share of rebounds and hitting some shots they are supposed to hit.

That being said, the Philippines still need some work as turnovers and offensive cohesiveness are the major problem areas for them. what is really puzzling now is Coach Rajko's use of Japeth Aguilar. This was a game where Japeth had an impact in his 3mins and I can only wonder how much of an impact he would have had if he played 20 minutes.

I mean hats off to Ranidel and Kelly but Japeth was made for this game. Well, we'll see what Coach Rajko decides to do tomorrow.

China 43, Gilas 21!

The story of the game? Turnovers.

My eyes literally popped out as JV Casio, Mark Barroca, Jimmy Alapag and Marcus Douthit were all afflicted by butterfingers, losing the ballover and over again.

Of course, the fact that Casio, Barroca, Tiu, Baracael, de Ocampo, Williams and Alapag are all severely undersized compared to their Chinese counterparts. Amongst them, only Barroca and Tiu seem to have any kind of success, Barroca doing it with speed, Tiu with his brain.

Douthit is feeling the pressure, twice missing lay ups trying to avoid Chinese defenders who put up token defense.

And I really hate to second guess Coach Rajko for for God's sake, play Japeth Aguilar. He may not be the smartest player out there but he can physically match up to the Chinese. He'll grab rebounds, block shots, play defense and maybe get an alleyoop or two.

Anyway, let's hope Gilas makes it a more respectable score in the second half!

Gilas 13, China 22 At The End Of The First Quarter!

It was 12-13 with 3 minutes left but 3 straight turnovers by the Gilas guards plus a converted and-1 placed China up 20-12.

China adds one more fastbreak basket before Chris Tiu hits an FT.