MANILA: This one was a disappointment, to say the least.
An all-pro Philippine team looking to be tested got very little of it Friday night against an Australian selection that didn’t stand a chance, as the Filipinos ripped them apart early for an 87-63 victory in the first of two exhibition matches at the Araneta Coliseum.
Team Philippines broke away in the second quarter and never looked back, wriggling free from a three-point game to lead by as many as 28 that had fans disappointed and coaching staff dumbfounded.
“I’m a little surprised that we had it this (easy),” coach Yeng Guiao, never at a loss for words, told reporters. “I expected a closer game. I’m sure they’ll (Aussies) be able to make some adjustment and play better on Sunday (for tomorrow’s last game).”
Purefoods’ Kerby Raymundo came off the bench and scored nine of his 13 points in the telling second period, and Guiao got everyone involved as the Filipinos wielded total control and were never really threatened.
Raymundo, who even thought of giving up his spot in the team recently, was on the floor the longest for the Philippines , playing a total of 21 minutes. Cyrus Baguio saw action for the least time with four but still got away with four markers.
Graeme Dann scored 12 points and led the Aussies, who will be beefed up by two imports seeing action in the Fiesta Cup, an idea now being broached by the organizing Philippine Basketball Association for a better chance in the second game scheduled tomorrow.
Guiao still tried to make something out of the win.
“I think this is a good sign that this team is going to come up even better,” he continued. “We have already made that mental adjustment and accepted the physicality of the (international) game.
“Whenever we come across this kind of game internationally, we’ll be ready for it,” he added. “We have to test ourselves against teams with established systems. But at this time, it’s really hard to come by teams that are strong and available.
“The best preparation for us is in a tournament like the Jones Cup.”
There were two others in twin digits for Guiao, Sonny Thoss and James Yap, who chipped in 11 apiece.
In related import developments, defending Fiesta Cup champion Barangay Ginebra has sent left-handed import Rod Nealy home and is looking at a list of five players for a replacement.
Over at Purefoods, management and coaching staff last night told Arabnews that they are giving Jhamaar Thorpe at least one more game to prove himself even with Marquin Chandler now becoming available.
Nealy has failed to rescue the Gin Kings from a slow start, coming up big sporadically and floundering in games when he was needed most.
After missing a triple double by just one assist in the Kings’ first game, Nealy has been effectively bottled up since then. He has also failed miserably in playing underneath and helping Ginebra control the shaded lane.
Coach Jong Uichico said that the team hopes to make up its mind on a replacement within the week.
The Tender Juicy Giants, on the other hand, have already gotten word from Chandler that he is available after just a few days of rest in the United States.
Chandler , who won the Best Import award in 2005 when Purefoods lost in six games to Red Bull in the Finals of this tournament, recently ended his contract in the Korean pro league and just went back to the States to see his newborn son for the first time.
“He (Chandler) can come over in two days,” Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said. “But we want to give (Thorpe) another game to prove himself. He (Thorpe) has shown great attitude in practice and in his first two games.”
Chandler has career averages of 26.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 blocks and normed 29.1 points, 13.7 boards, 4.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in his last tour of duty with the Giants two years ago.
Thorpe, meanwhile, is scoring 21.5 points, grabbing 7.5 rebounds and issuing 2.5 feeds in his first two games, which the Giants have split on the way to a 3-3 record thus far.
