RP tops Syria in OT

I just have to post this!

All content from: www.pba-online.net


(Naks! And there goes Jimmy Alapag again..hehehe)

With its heartbreaking loss to Jordan yesterday shattering the country's Olympic dreams, you cannot fault if the team play listless and without energy against Syria in the classification phase of the 2007 FIBA Asia Championships.

Although it was a tough loss, the Philippines showed pride as they scored a tough 107-100 overtime victory against a winless Syrian team which the Filipinos also beat in the Manila Invitationals hed earlier this month.

Jimmy Alapag, the smallest guy on the team, again played big and lead the team in scoring for the 3rd time in 4 games, scoring 32 points to go along with 5 assists. Asi Taulava and Danny Seigle, both playing with injuries, scored 15 points apiece to support Alapag.

The team, hounded by injuries since the tournament started, added two players on that list as Mark Caguioa, who added 16 points, was taken out late in regulation after hyper-extending his shoulder. Earlier in the first quarter, Kelly Williams suffered a pulled hamstring after playing only 7 minutes.

"I know psychologically and physically your team is very tired. We tried to take our chance, but we're not just lucky," said Samer Kayaly, the coach of the same Syrian team the Nationals beat in the recent Manila Invitationals.

Scores:

SMC-Team Pilipinas 107 -- Alapag 32, Caguioa 16, Seigle 15, Taulava 15, Hontiveros 11, Ritualo 6, Raymundo 5, Menk 5, Norwood 2, Williams 0, Helterbrand 0.

Syria 100 – Madanly 33, Alsaman 27, Yakoub 16, Alkatib 12, Hasaballah 7, Abdallah 5, Labes 0.

Quarterscores: 18-24; 38-35; 65-65; 89-89 (reg); 107-100.