Team SMART Gilas Pilipinas showed unity, teamwork and heart to defeat a healthier South Korean squad 86-79. The win earns them a slot at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

CLick on link for full screen pics: 
http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/smart-gilas-spain-bound/

Written by

Jude Bautista

No one could have scripted a more dramatic semifinal game at the FIBA ASIAN Championships at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Philippines faced rival South Korea who had eliminated the Filipinos in other international basketball competitions in 1986, 2009 and 2011. But SMART Gilas Pilipinas finally took the monkey off their back by winning a nail-biting game 86-79 off a Jimmy Alapag trey in the last minute.

Jimmy Alapag sank a crucial trey in the last minute to seal the 86-79 win over South Korea. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

From left: DFA Sec Albert Del Rosario, SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan, PLDT Pres. & CEO Napoleon Nazareno and SMART Pres. and (foreground) Chief adviser/ Pres. of SUN Doy Vea. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

The win earned not only a finals slot against IRAN, Sunday August 11 but also an assured ticket to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.  The event is considered as the most prestigious international basketball tournament, second only to the Olympics and is also held every four years. Participating cities include Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao and even the Canary Islands.

Jason Castro Williams went on a tear to open the second half. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

The Filipino trait of heart and resilience showed itself in this game more than any other. As early as the 6:25 mark of the 2^nd quarter, naturalized center Marcus Douthit re-aggravated a shin injury forcing him out of the game. With a towel covering his face due to pain on his way to the dug out, players and fans thought this would be an even more difficult battle. Ranidel De Ocampo also one of SMART Gilas’ centers had already been called 4 fouls at this point.

Team SMART Gilas Pilipinas showed unity, teamwork and heart to defeat a healthier South Korean squad 86-79. The win earns them a slot at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Larry Fonacier kisses his family after the win. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

The Pinoy frontline made up for Douthit’s loss with tenacity underneath the boards and fearless scoring inside the paint. Marc Pingris would be the Best player of the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds. As Douthit sat on the bench Pingris scored a semi hook late in the 2^nd Quarter after Seung Jun Lee was called for a goal tending violation. The next play Pingris got a crucial offensive rebound and shot free throws to cut the Koreans’ lead 36-39 at half time.

Team SMART Gilas Pilipinas showed unity, teamwork and heart to defeat a healthier South Korean squad 86-79. The win earns them a slot at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Ranidel De Ocampo took his game to a higher level after Douthit’s injury. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

To open the 3^rd quarter Talk N Text point guard Jason Castro Williams went on a tear. His quick first step allowed him to blow by his guard and score 6 points off lay ups by the 7:20 mark giving SMART Gilas a 42-39 lead. After a tip in to push the lead Pingris himself had to be taken out of the game momentarily due to a hamstring injury. Ranidel De Ocampo scored off baskets inside the paint. But Korean guard Mingoo Kim had streaky 3-point shots to keep the game close. By the end of the 3^rd quarter Japeth Aguilar was able to have an emphatic slam to give SMART Gilas a 65-56 lead.

Marc Pingris was the best player of the game. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

South Korea’s Seung Jun Lee had 2 goal tending violations. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

The Koreans came back in the 4^th quarter through fast breaks and 3pt bombs from Tae Sul Kim, Mingoo Kim and Seung Sun Lee. Mingoo had a 4-point play 4:43 mark helping them cut the lead 73-72. In spite of the strong surge, SMART Gilas had contributions from other players like L.A. Tenorio with timely treys.  South Korea eventually took the lead off a Tae Sul basket 77-76 closing in to the last 2:35.

L.A. Tenorio sank crucial treys. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Marc Pingris sheds tears of joy. Watch SMART Gila vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Ranidel De Ocampo’s hook shot got the lead back in 2:12, 77-78. The most crucial play came from Pingris’ steal from Korea’s star center Joo Sung Kim which led to a De Ocampo trey. After that Alapag sealed the game with another 3 pointer going into the last minute to put the Filipinos up permanently. Gabe Norwood also came up with a crucial block with 45 seconds to go on Mingoo Kim who had been sinking 3pointers the whole night.

Gabe Norwood came up with an important block on Mingoo Kim. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

TV5 Sports Center from left; Mico Halili, Coach Yeng Guiao and Coach Richard Del Rosario. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

The success in this particularly historic game is the culmination of hard work, organization, financing and faith from a host of companies led by SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) President Manny V Pangilinan. Analyst Yeng Guiao noted that having the FIBA Games held here was a huge factor in the success of the team. Their country mates offering encouragement and support spelled the difference for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team that had seen so much heartbreak in previous tourneys.

From left: DFA Sec Albert Del Rosario, SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan and PLDT Pres. & CEO Napoleon Nazareno. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Coach Chot Reyes Shed Tears of joy after the win. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Speaking at the TV5 Sports center PBA Coach Yeng Guiao said, “This is a very historic moment for Philippine basketball. Its not just an emotional win, can you imagine na unahan na natin ang CHINA? We’re at least no. 2 we can win a championship. Ang CHINA wala na. The only team that we haven’t beaten is IRAN. Actually di natin tinalo CHINESE TAIPEI it does not matter any more. We earned a ticket to the World Championship. It’s like going to the Olympics and we haven’t gone to the Olympics in a long time. We haven’t gone to the World Championship in a long time. We have to congratulate boss MVP the SBP President, coach Chot Reyes, the whole team because they deserve it. They really deserve it and they have the appreciation of the whole country right now.”

Pingris asks ref about goal tending violation. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Philippines 86 – Castro/William (pts 17 asst 3), Pingris (pts 16 reb 10), Alapag (pts 14  reb 3), De Ocampo (pts 11 reb 6), (Tenorio pts 9  rebs 3), Aguilar (pts 8 rebs 4), Chan 5, Norwood (pts 2 block 1), Fonacier 2, Douthit (pts 2 blocks 2) , David 0, Fajardo 0.

South Korea 79 – M.Kim 27, J.Kim 11, Yang 11, S.Lee 10, J.Lee 10, S.Cho 6, S.Kim 2, S.Kim 2, Yoon 0, J.Kim 0.

Quarters: 15-19, 36-39, 65-56, 86-79

Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Senator Jaworski, Aga Muhlach and family were among those who witnessed the historic win by SMART Gilas over S. Korea. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Bossing Vic Sotto is Marc Pingris father in law. Sotto will also return to TV5 as host of WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Team SMART Gilas Pilipinas showed unity, teamwork and heart to defeat a healthier South Korean squad 86-79. The win earns them a slot at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena tonight or on TV5 at 830pm.

Marcus Douthit tells TV5 Correspondent Erika Tapalla that he will not play in the IRAN finals due to his shin injury. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Click on link for full screen pics:

http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/douthit-doubtful-for-iran-final/

Written by

Jude Bautista

SMART Gilas center Marcus Douthit, in an interview with TV5 Sports’ correspondent Erika Tapalla said he would not be able to play in the finals against IRAN. After a post up move against Kim Jung Soon of South Korea, Douthit re-injured his left shin.

Marc Pingris and Marcus Douthit are jubilant after the win against South Korea. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Marc Pingris and Marcus Douthit are jubilant after the win against South Korea. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

The naturalized 6’11” center who has powered SMART Gilas Pilipinas through out the tournament will be sorely missed. He said, “Its amazing we got the win it’s the heart of the Filipino. How strong we are together, we’re one team, one heart just like coach said. As far as tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll be able to go tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy this moment right now and give this game to the people.”

Marcus Douthit tells TV5 Correspondent Erika Tapalla that he will not play in the IRAN finals due to his shin injury. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

From left SBP Pres Manny V Pangilinan and PLDT Pres & CEO Napoleon Nazareno are jubilant after SMART Gilas defeats South Korea 86-79. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) President Manny V Pangilinan also in an interview with Erika Tapalla said, “Masayang masaya, I’m happy for the team happy for the country. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sumuporta and every night that we played. Napaka ganda ng crowd they cheered for the team I think that’s the main reason the team played well tonight without Douthit.”

SMART Gilas relied on Filipino fans to win in FIBA ASIA. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

SBP Pres. Manny V Pangilinan is interviewed by TV5 Correspondent Erika Tapalla. Behind MVP is DFA Sec Albert Del Rosario. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

IRAN has NBA player Hammed Hadadi who is a center for MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES. Douthit would have been the only one to legitimately defend the 7’2”, 265 pound IRANIAN in the middle. The only thing that’s going for SMART Gilas right now is momentum and the heart displayed by the players on the court and the fans.

Japeth Aguilar had an emphatic dunk to end the 3rd Quarter. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Jimmy Alapag is interviewed by TV5 Correspondent Erika Tapalla. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Jimmy Alapag talked about their win against South Korea, “We’re coming with the strength of our country. All the millions supporting us at home, the thousands who are here, its all for them. Words can’t describe the feeling right now.  This country’s been so much in international basketball the tough losses. With the crowd support we’ve been getting this entire tournament we’re not gonna let them get out of here with a win tonight.”

Jimmy Alapag and Jason Castro are elated after defeating South Korea 86-79. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

TV5 Sports Center’s analyst coach Richard del Rosario. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Analyst and PBA coach Richard del Rosario at the TV5 Sports center said that everything has fallen into place for an embattled RP team. For him having the FIBA Asian Championships held here was the first of several factors. Even the loss to CHINESE TAIPEI worked to our favor when QATAR eliminated them. And powerhouse CHINA was eliminated from the quarterfinals. For him team Philippines was destined to qualify to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, “Talagang destiny na, parang pelikula na di ko maintindihan.  Nabugbog na tayo sa umpisa lumaban pa tayo, na wala pa yug isang bida na si Marcus Douthit pero talagang lahat ng bida lumabas na sa kupunan natin. Coach Chot Reyes he deserves all the congratulations. Pinaka mahalaga nag kaisa yung buong bansa para sa kupunan.”

Japeth Aguilar had an emphatic dunk to end the 3rd Quarter. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Japeth Aguilar had an emphatic dunk to end the 3rd Quarter. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Coach Yeng Guiao added, “We also have to thank the board of governors ng PBA pinahiram nila yung players . The players themselves di nila inisip sarili nila. They could be injured and lose a contract to play.”

TV5 Sports Center’s analyst coach Yeng Guiao. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Coach Chot Reyes shed tears of joy in finally beating long time rival South Korea. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Coach Chot Reyes could not help but shed tears of joy after the historic win, “One of a kind win, its gotta be the best victory of my career. Tama sinabi mo puso lang nothing else but pure heart.  Just all the emotion all the effort, the expectations lahat ng pagod, hirap, lumabas lang.”

Coach Chot Reyes shed tears of joy in finally beating long time rival South Korea. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Marc Pingris thanks his kababayan for all the support and prayers. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.

Player of the game Marc Pingris thanked his family who watched the game including his father in law Vic Sotto. Incidentally Sotto is slated to come back to the TV5 show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?. An emotional Pingris credited prayers and the fans, “Nag papray ako nung na sprain ako gusto ko bigyan mo ko ng lakas. Yon  Na kuha natin gusto natin salamat sa Pilipinong sumuporta. Sigaw pa lang nila buhay na buhay kami. Energy namin ,sa lahat ng Pilipino maraming maraming salamt kung di po dahil sa inyo  wala itong panalo. Gusto ko magpasalamat sa daddy ni Danica sa mga kids ko.”

Marc Pingris kisses wife Danica Sotto. Watch SMART Gilas vs IRAN tonight at the MOA Arena or on TV5 at 830pm.