MANILA, 14 August 2006 — Obviously in better shape than a jet-lagged and troubled foe, Team Philippines last night beat Lebanon.
Ren-Ren Ritualo rifled in 7-of-16 attempts from beyond three-point range, doing most of his damage in the breakaway second period as the Filipinos whipped the off-form Lebanese, 94-75, in the first game of their goodwill series at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Philippines outscored Lebanon, 39-19 in the second period behind Ritualo to turn a 15-24 first quarter deficit into a 54-43 lead going into the halftime break.
The victory also enabled the Filipinos to gather enough momentum and confidence for the second and final game of the series on Wednesday, when the Lebanese, ranked second behind mighty China in Asia, could have regained their wits.
Lebanon, despite an on-going armed conflict with Israel, is using this series to prime up for the FIBA World Championships scheduled in Japan later this month. And after arriving in Manila just two days ago, the Lebanese showed the ill effects of jet lag for most part of the contest. Brian Feghali paced the Lebanese with 16 points and 10 rebounds with Roy Samaha shooting 15 and pulling down eight boards.
Fadi El Khatib, who won MVP honors in the ABC Men’s Championship held at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last year, scored all 10 of his points in the first two periods. He didn’t see any action in the second half.
“We tried to run and quicken the pace a little bit,” said interim coach Norman Black, who subbed for national mentor Chot Reyes.
“I just implemented Chot’s system.”
Reyes, who has been at the helm of the National program for close to two years now, will be back in time to call the shots for the Filipinos on Wednesday after steering the San Miguel Beermen in three tune-up games in Taipei.
The Philippine team that played last night was formed on the day that the Lebanon National side arrived as Reyes reportedly disbanded the old RP squad after failing to get a complete team to attend workouts.
His appointment to the head coaching job at San Miguel only fanned rumors on the reported breakup of the program that was drawn up two years ago supposedly with the full backing of the PBA board.
PBA Commissioner Noli Eala assembled this team in haste in order to accede to Lebanon’s request for help in preparing the Lebanese for the grind in Japan. And with off-form opponents or not, the effort which the Filipinos showed last night was certainly impressive, considering that the Philippines had come from disappointing stints in the Jones Cup and an invitational tournament in Qatar. Ranidel de Ocampo poured in 12 points to back up Ritualo even as Mick Pennisi, Don Allado and Willie Miller also churned out heady performances.
