Smart Gilas Pilipinas defeats Iran-B, 79-67; RP enters semis (Stankovic Cup 2010)

Smart Gilas Pilipinas defeats Iran-B, 79-67; RP enters semis (Stankovic Cup 2010)

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source: fibaasia.net

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Having played wait and watch for 30 minutes, Rajko Toroman unleashed a brisk spree of Filipino offense and the South East Asian nation forced their way into the semifinals with a 79-67 win against a profligate Iran on Friday.

The encounter was even keeled for most the duration with Philippines taking a marginal 51-49 lead into the fourth quarter.

This was when Rajko’s boys made their move.

JV Casio scored 12 of his 14 points and Chris Tiu nine of his 15 in the fourth quarter as Iran turned the ball over seven times in ten minutes.

Asghar Kardoust had a game-high 24 points – 12 of them in the fourth quarter – but Iran failed to put the men behind to support him.

Kardoust also pulled down 11 rebounds, as Safa Ali Kamalian, the assistant coach of Iran’s main team which is preparing for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, nodded his head in appreciation of the center’s efforts.

“We did nothing special (in the fourth quarter),” said Rajkov.

“It was just that we started to click together better as a team. And our shot started going in,” added the Serbian who had steered Iran to the top of the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship – and resultantly into the 2008 Beijing Olympics – said.

“Playing against them (Iran) is always special for me,” said Rajkov.

“Winning against any team from Iran is more special.”

Marnel Baracel was Philippines’ highest scorer with 18 points, and Taulava 10.

“He’s yet to coming together,” Rajkov said of Taulava. “But he is picking up.”

“Given time, he’ll start playing better in our system,”

Going into the fourth quarter 51-49 marginally ahead, Philippines went on an 8-0 run in an all-round scoring show. And when Casio fired in a brand long-ranger they opened out a 10-point lead, their biggest till that point in time.

Kardoust closed in the gap with a powerful drive-in followed by a three-point play, but Philippines this time unleashed a 9-0 run to close down Iran’s chances.

Philippines await the winners of the Lebanon-Kazakhstan quarterfinal.

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The Scores:

Philippines 79 - Baracael 18, Tiu 15, Lassiter 14, Casio 14, Taulava 10, Ababou 6, Aguilar 2, Barroca 0, Ballesteros 0.

Iran B 67 - Kardoust 24, Davarpan 12, Atashi 11, Baheran 9, Nabipoor 5, Aslani 4, Hassan 2, Ebrahimi 0, Arghavan 0, Zareei 0.

Quarters: 17-22, 31-34, 51-49, 79-67

Game Stats (Philippines):
total FG - 27/61 (44%)
2pts FG - 19/38 (50%)
3pts FG - 8/23 (35%)
FT - 17/21 (81%) (Casio 9/9)
Rebs - 26 (Tiu 7, Lassiter 6, Taulava 5, Baracael 5)
Assists - 15 (Casio 5, Barroca 4, Tiu 4)
Blk - 1
TO - 15
Stls - 7
(click here) Game Statistics and Detailed scores (PDF file)

*Photo Credit: FIBA ASIA | FibaAsia.net











*Photo Credit: FIBA ASIA | FibaAsia.net

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TeamPilipinas.info: Smart Gilas

09/08/2010 PHI/JOR - Philippines pull the rug from under Turkey-bound Jordan’s feet BEIRUT, Lebanon (3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup): With their PBA ‘import’ playing his role rather well, Philippines played well within themselves and earned a 75-71 win over defending champions Jordan in a Group ‘B’ game on Monday. Philippines, thus won their second game for the second successive night, and are now 2-1. Jordan, who are using this event as a part of their preparations for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, have suffered their second successive loss. Asi Taulava, brought into the line-up for this competition “to add size”, returned a double-double – a dozen rebounds with a Baker’s Dozen points – to lead the Philippines charge. “He (Taulava) has definitely added size. He’s responded well to the team not too bad. I think we can look at using him in the long term too,” Philippines coach Toroman Rajkov said. Marnel Baracel was the SEABA nation’s leading scorer with a 16-point haul. Chris Tiu scored 13, and Mark Barocca returned an incredible 80% on the paint (4/5) in his 12 points. Rasheim Wright, yet to gain full match fitness began to find his touch – something that pleased Jordan coach Mario Palma for the long term – and had a game-high 17 points. “It’s alright. Am getting to feel better,” Wright said. Sam Daghles had 15 points and Ayman Idais had 11. The two Zaids in the Jordanian line-up – Abbas and Al-Khas both pulled down 11 rebounds each. “Such defeats don’t really matter. What we have to introspect is, if we did what we expected to do right,” Palma said. “I think our outside shooting has been very bad so far,” Palma said. Jordan converted a mere five attempts in three-pointers out of the 28 times they tried from the perimeter. For Game Statistics and Detailed scores click here

TeamPilipinas.info: Smart Gilas

Smart Gilas Pilipinas win over World Championship-bound Jordan NT (Stankovic Cup 2010)

8/10/2010 | Smart Gilas, Stankovic Cup 2010 | 176 comments »

source: fibaasia.net

BEIRUT, Lebanon - With their PBA reinforcement playing his role rather well, Philippines (now 2 wins and 1 loss) played well within themselves and earned a 75-71 win over defending champions Jordan (0 wins - 2 losses) in a Group ‘B’ game on Monday.

*Photo Credit: FIBA ASIA | FibaAsia.net *Photo Credit: FIBA ASIA | FibaAsia.net SMART GILAS LATEST UPDATES: www.smartgilas.com www.smartgilas.net www.twitter.com/SmartGilas

The Boxing Truth - Don't Chase A Name, Chase A Fight Mr. Katsidis

The Boxing Truth - Don't Chase A Name, Chase A Fight Mr. Katsidis

by Ricardo Lois

Aug 10, 2010 -

There are reports, rumors, and buzz indicating that promising Filipino prospect Mercito Gesta is hunting a fight with Australian banger Michael Katsidis. Currently Katsidis is doing everything within his power to catch fading Mexican ring general Juan Manuel Marquez inside of a ring. Realistically Marquez - in the final moments of a top notch career - is unlikely to agree to a fight with the exciting, but relatively unknown Katsidis. Marquez wants to cash out his seventeen year career with one more marquee fight against unlikely opponent Manny Pacquiao, or recognizable names such as Ricky Hatton, or Erik Morales that bring in million dollar paydays and possible pay per view events. If Katsidis cannot corner Marquez with the assistance of the World Boxing Organization, (Katsidis is the interim champion to Marquez’s lightweight title), he will be left without a fight partner for the immediate future. Gesta’s management told BoxingScene that they feel their young fighter is ready to take on the more experienced Katsidis and from this writer’s perspective it would be a highly entertaining fight. Last seen on Telemundo, the 22 year old Gesta was stopping Oscar Meza by technical knock-out and displaying nice hand-speed, aggression, boxing abilities, and power. Common sense would indicate that Katsidis might steam roll Gesta, much like he did against Kevin Mitchell earlier this year in the United Kingdom, but Gesta’s skill set could make the fight interesting and I am sure many a hardcore fan would appreciate the bout on HBO Boxing’s After Dark series during 2011. We will have to wait while Katsidis targets Marquez, but the Australian’s disappointment in not landing Marquez could be a treat for fight fans if he tangles with Gesta.

Nietes wants to join Elorde, Villa as longest-reigning Pinoy champs - Pinoy Boxing Republic - GMANews.TV Sports

Nietes wants to join Elorde, Villa as longest-reigning Pinoy champs - Pinoy Boxing Republic - GMANews.TV Sports

Rey Joble, GMANews.TV August 9, 2010 16:03:55

Donnie Nietes isn't thinking of becoming the next best pound-for-pound fighter. He is not seeking to win seven world championships, just like boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Instead, the pride of Bacolod City wants to join the elite cast of legendary Filipino boxers, who reigned supreme in their respective divisions for a long period of time. "Donnie wants to achieve what the great Flash Elorde and the legendary Pancho Villa have accomplished," said Nietes' trainer Edmund Villamor. "He wants to become a reigning champion for a long period of time." Elorde was the longest-reigning Filipino champion, holding the World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight championship for seven years and three months (March 16, 1960-June 15, 1967). Jesus "The Hawaiian Punch" Salud came in next, being the holder of the World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight title for six years and 11 months. Villa, who died at an early age of 24, held the world championship for four years in a total of 106 bouts, including 92 wins from 1920 to 1925. For the 28-year-old Nietes, the 105-lb, minimum weight division is his comfortable weight class, and he showed that when he dominated his past 13 rivals capped by his unanimous decision win over Pornsawan Porpramook nearly three years ago for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimum weight crown. To date, Nietes, who worked as a janitor at the Ala Boxing Gym before getting his big break seven years ago, is the third Filipino world boxing champion. The other two are Pacquiao and world women's boxing champion Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton. Nietes was able to defend his title three times, including a sensational 10th round technical knockout victory over Jesus Silvestre early this year at the Astrodome in Pasay City. His next title defense, a 12-round championship bout against Mario Rodriguez on August 14, will be held at the Polideportivo Centenario, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. Nietes is pumped up and focused. He has sparred for a total of 300 rounds and has started his training for several months now. "We trained in Cebu. We ran through an uphill route there, so my conditioning is good. I don't think I will peak too soon because I'm currently winding up my training routine now," Nietes told GMANews.TV. Nietes to wind up training at Wild Card gym The Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, California, a training venue for champions like Pacquiao and Julaton, will also be made available for Nietes in his preparation against Rodriguez. "Coach Freddie Roach has been helpful to us Filipinos and he has helped Filipino boxers fighting in world championships," said Nietes, who has a total of 26 wins, including 15 knockouts, one loss and three draws. From Los Angeles, Nietes and his camp will travel to Mexico. Mexico has produced world-class boxers and champions the previous years. The former Spanish colony is also a danger zone for those Pinoy pugs competing there, most of them having little success. But not Nietes, who's been successful in his two trips here, winning his bouts over Manuel Vargas and Erik Ramirez, respectively, and doing a great job silencing the Mexican crowd. "I’m used to it. We're no stranger fighting in Mexico, so I know what to do come fight time against Rodriguez," said Nietes. JVP, GMANews.TV