Japeth Aguilar starred for the Filipinos, playing with the oft-missing intensity coaching staff has always asked of him, shooting 20 points while grabbing six rebounds in an 101-69 rout of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The 6-foot-9 former Western Kentucky University reserve in the US NCAA highlighted his game-long brilliance by completing a fastbreak with a slam dunk in the third quarter as the Filipinos got off to a rip-roaring start.

More importantly, Aguilar seems to be coming of age, something that should have happened two years ago when he returned to the Philippines after his US NCAA stint and was pronounced by many as the next great big man for the country.

"I just wanted to be aggressive," Aguilar told a packed press room with the event soliciting added attention in this basketball-crazy country after the Nationals finished in a third place tie in a guest stint in the recent Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup.

"I have been getting extra confidence with the extra practice that I have been turning in," Aguilar added. "But this is just the first game and things will only get tougher from here." The Philippines was sharp all night as it ripped the game wide open early in the second period after a 23-all tie.

Marcus Douthit, expected to be the team's pillar in the middle when the Philippines bids for an Olympic berth in China later in the year, combined with Aguilar to score 10 straight points for the Philippines for its first twin-digit lead, 38-27.

"We knew that we were the better team," said Philippine coach Rajko Toroman said. The Philippines actually scored its second straight victory over the Saudi Arabians counting a 99-63 ripping in a practice game last Wednesday.

Starting points guard Chris Tiu nailed a triple and Douthit scored at will underneath before Marcio Lassiter hit another three as the Filipinos emphatically pulled away, 45-31.

"I think they were a little tired and nervous," Toroman said of the Saudis, whose key players were pulled out of the game one after the other when the deficit reached insurmountable proportions late in the third period.

The Filipinos' impressive performance was highlighted by a 61% shooting from the field that went with 24 assists.

Saudi Arabian coach Ninad Krazdic didn't offer any excuses, saying: we faced a team that is well coached and well prepared.

"We just couldn't keep up with them because of their quick transition plays," he added. "This game was similar to the first (in the exhibition)." The team's import, though, is not giving up on his squad and believes that they are still up for a respective finish.

"I think we will get better after we play more games," Vladislav Dragajlovic, who scored 18 points and was the only Saudi player in twin digits, said.

Chris Williams, the talented Iranian import, tossed in a night-high 34 points and led Mahram to an 86-59 destruction of Syria even as Jordan turned in a blazing fourth quarter to also score in its debut, 74-66, over Iraq.

The Philippines clashes with Malaysia Sunday, while the Saudis are in for another tough fight, going up against the Iraqis also Sunday.