Some Rp Team Related News

[SkyWalker]

hey guys, if you have some articles or news clips regarding RP team and the Asian Basketball Championship, post them here.

Thais pose biggest threat
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 05/10/2007

A breeze or an ambush awaits SMC-Team Philippines in Ratchaburi, Thailand as it plays the host team, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in a single-round, no-final competition to dispute the SEABA men’s championship from May 24-28.

The Nationals take opening-day bye on the 24th, then tackle Singapore on the 25th, Malaysia on the 26th, Indonesia on the 27th and Thailand on the 28th.

The team with the best record after the single round robin is automatically declared the champion. Ties will be resolved by the quotient system of tiebreak.

"The schedule and the format of competition obviously were designed to favor the host team. They scheduled us to play four straight games with them as our final opponent. They’re looking for an ambush," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

PBA coaches say the host apparently is thinking that’s the best way to upset the Philippines, resigned to the fact that they can’t beat the Filipinos twice.

But coach Junel Baculi, a new addition to coach Chot Reyes’ staff, believes there’s no way the all-pro RP team can be beaten in SEABA.

The Nationals can’t afford not to win the SEABA championship as it serves as the qualifier among Southeast Asian countries for the FIBA-Asia championship in Tokoshima, Japan in July.

The team warms up for SEABA and the FIBA-Asia Championship as it leaves tomorrow for Tehran, Iran for the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup from May 12-22.

"We’re not going to Tehran to win. We’re going there to get better," said RP team coach Chot Reyes on his decision not to exercise their right to play with an import in the Champions Cup.

Twelfth man Enrico Villanueva, accompanied by RP team assistant coach Nash Racela, follows the RP team in Tehran right after Red Bull’s out-of-town game in Cebu versus San Miguel Beer Saturday.

Right after the Red Bull-San Miguel game, Villanueva takes the 9:30 p.m. Cebu Pacific flight to Manila then tries to catch the 12:20 a.m. Emirates Air to Tehran.

Still uncertain is Villanueva’s stint in the SEABA men’s championship.

The Thais, who have reportedly recruited two Thai-American players, could well offer the toughest challenge to the Nationals in SEABA. They didn’t expose their recruits as they opted not to play in the recent SEABA Champions Cup in Jakarta.

[SkyWalker]

Going will be tough for RP NT

Lee Benson
Lee Benson


by Hector Santos - May 9, 2007
IT won't be an easy sailing for the San Miguel-Philippine team in the FIBA Asia Club Championship as it found itself bracketed with host Iran, vastly-improved Syria and other teams from the Middle East.

IT won't be an easy sailing for the San Miguel-Philippine team in the FIBA Asia Club Championship as it found itself bracketed with host Iran, vastly-improved Syria and other teams from the Middle East.

The Filipinos will expect tough games starting May 12 as they are bracketed in Group B along with Iran and Syria, two teams tipped as the favorites to win the crown, Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan and Al Manama of Bahrain.

With Jordan's Arena Amman pulling out of the competition, Iran, Syria and perennial Asian powerhouse Lebanon and Qatar are tipped as the favorites.

Jordan's Fastlink squad is the defending champion of the tournament and a replacement squad will be named soon.

Teams from Group A are Lebanon's Blue Stars, Qatar's Al Rayyan, Kuwait's Al Qadsia and the Indian national team.

Iran's undefeated Saba Battery will be parading 7-2 behemoth Joseph Garth, making the team a strong contender in the FIBA Asia Club Championship.

Syria's Al Jaala will be beefed up by Lee Benson (208-F/C-73, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: Brown Mackie) once considered by Purefoods to become its reinforcement in the PBA.

This will be an acid test for the Filipinos, who are eager to make it to the Olympics for the first time since 1972.

How ready Chot Reyes and his chosen 12 are will be gauged in this same strong tournament held in Manila two years ago.

The Filipino cagers are eager to compete and take their giant steps to earning an elusive berth to Beijing as they see action in a regular international tournament sanctioned by FIBA for the first time in two years.

Garth, a former standby import for Talk ‘N Text, played for the undefeated Saba Battery team in Iran. He is expected to create a lot of mismatch problems for the opposing squads, including the shorter, but faster Filipinos.

Syria has Benson, a 6-10 phenom, whose career was tarnished when he was sent to prison. But he had a spectacular season in the Korean Basketball League that Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio once considered him to become their reinforcement two years ago.

Aside from Benson, Syria's Al Jalaa will also have American imports 6-11 Vincent Jones and 6-9 Wayne Houston.

source: journal online by Rey Joble

[Project888]

RP Team leaves today for Tehran cagefest

RP Team leaves today for Tehran cagefest
by Noli Cortez, The Malaya, 5/10/07

SAYING his team’s stint in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran, next week is a learning trip, coach Chot Reyes will continue to tinker with combinations to keep everybody sharp for the tougher task ahead.

The all-pro team leaves today for Iran for the six-team tournament that will serve as the squad’s final tune-up for the SEABA Championship in Thailand on May 24-28.

"We’ll go out and try to win the tournament, but that’s not the ultimate objective, especially with the other teams using two imports of unlimited height each. We’ll continue playing as a team, play everybody, give everyone minutes," said Reyes.

The SEABA Championship is a qualifying tournament for the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan, in July that in turn serves as a qualifying event for next year’s Beijing Olympics. Reaching the Olympics is the ultimate goal of Reyes and his charges.

Reyes said his main goal for the Tehran event, set May 12-20, is for his players to continue developing as a team.

"Don’t get me wrong. We’ll go all out, but not at the expense of learning and improving as a team," he stated.

Reyes had a peek of how his multi-millionaire players have developed together when they overcame the PBA Imports 103-100 at the Araneta Coliseum last Tuesday.

The Nationals, who mostly played against each other after a training stint in Los Angeles last month, pushed ahead for good only in the last 25 seconds before putting up a tenacious defense that foiled the reinforcements’ bid to turn the game around.

Reyes was pleased with the win and more with the way his charges played and rooted for each other.

"Obviously, there were lapses and we still need to improve offensively and defensively, here and there," he observed.

"But the sheer joy of playing together as a team after a long break was great to watch. Even guys from the bench were cheering for their teammates, and these are superstars in their own ball clubs," he stressed.

source: rp forum in pba.ph

[jrb0yd]

"We’re not going to Tehran to win. We’re going there to get better," said RP team coach Chot Reyes on his decision not to exercise their right to play with an import in the Champions Cup.

SAYING his team’s stint in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran, next week is a learning trip, coach Chot Reyes will continue to tinker with combinations to keep everybody sharp for the tougher task ahead.

The all-pro team leaves today for Iran for the six-team tournament that will serve as the squad’s final tune-up for the SEABA Championship in Thailand on May 24-28.

"We’ll go out and try to win the tournament, but that’s not the ultimate objective, especially with the other teams using two imports of unlimited height each. We’ll continue playing as a team, play everybody, give everyone minutes," said Reyes.

Reyes said his main goal for the Tehran event, set May 12-20, is for his players to continue developing as a team.

"Don’t get me wrong. We’ll go all out, but not at the expense of learning and improving as a team," he stated.

source: rp forum in pba.ph

like what i've said in the other thread, this tournament is basically designed to toughen the team... winning this tournament is only a consolation... with 2 more months left in their preparation, rp will just get better... gudluck to RP!

[SkyWalker]

Philippines - RP tests Saba in Asia Cup
by Benny Lirio - May 10, 2007
The Philippine national team will test the caliber of the host Saba Battery Basketball Club of Iran at the start of the 2007 Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran on May 12 to 20. The national team, the champion of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Champions Cup, will play the West Asia Club Champion team on May 13.


The Philippine national team will test the caliber of the host Saba Battery Basketball Club of Iran at the start of the 2007 Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran on May 12 to 20.

The national team, the champion of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Champions Cup, will play the West Asia Club Champion team on May 13. Saba has just won three straight titles including the Iranian Super League.



On its second game on May 14, the Philippines will play another tough team, the Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan - the Mid-Asia and Kazakhstan Division 1 club champion.

Like Saba, Astana has also won three titles in the Kazakhstan basketball circuit.

The West Asia Club Championship runner-up and the current league leader of the Syrian Basketball League, Al Jalaa, will be the next to play the Philippines on May 15. Al Jalaa will parade three American imports in this tournament.

On its final game of the elimination round, the Philippines will play Al Manama, the Bahrain Club Championship runner-up on May 16. (RCM)

source: asia-basket.com

[bsgermany]

@ jrb0yd:

This tournament is supposed to toughen the team? What a wonderful joke that is considering that there are much more serious opponents crossing their way on the way to the Olympics.

Challenging clubteams from Iran, Kazakhstan Syria etc - what is that good for??? I was only missing the elementary school allstars from Mongolia in that list. Teams like that should be no mact at all for a team wishing to compete on a higher level with the real power houses in world basketball.
Why is the RP team not challenging real opponents in its preperation for the upcoming challenges?

Noone here could seriously consider these games a real challenge if the RP team is really as strong as some are hoping.

[SkyWalker]

@ jrb0yd:

This tournament is supposed to toughen the team? What a wonderful joke that is considering that there are much more serious opponents crossing their way on the way to the Olympics.

Challenging clubteams from Iran, Kazakhstan Syria etc - what is that good for??? I was only missing the elementary school allstars from Mongolia in that list. Teams like that should be no mact at all for a team wishing to compete on a higher level with the real power houses in world basketball.
Why is the RP team not challenging real opponents in its preperation for the upcoming challenges?

Noone here could seriously consider these games a real challenge if the RP team is really as strong as some are hoping.

man, this teams are real challenge. try to consider the Lebanese contingents. almost 70% of that team comprises the Lebanese NT. same, with Kazakhstan and Iran. Syria, is what concerns me the most. Probably the darkhorse in this year's ABC. Al Jalaa of Syria will be playing with Marcelo Correa, a 6'10 player from San Diego St. this guy, will also be playing for their Sr.NT. man, we dont need to go to either USA or Europe to play real opponents, coz our real opponents, as of the moment is in Asia. This is a good chance to: 1st, see how our opponents play against our players. 2nd, see all the possible loopholes in our current lineup 3rd, to try to strengthn up, mentally. Winning this tournament boost the morale of our player. 4th, Now, do you think this isnt a good challenge for RP team?

[jramoyo]

ABC shouldn't allow national teams to join the club championship... they should be strict about it, this the reason why the ABC club championship has no prestige at all...

[Projectspeed]

ABC shouldn't allow national teams to join the club championship... they should be strict about it, this the reason why the ABC club championship has no prestige at all...

it may be not prestigious to you but may be prestigious to others

prestige depends on individual perspective

[SkyWalker]

RP Team off to Tehran cagefest
spacer


By WAYLON GALVEZ

AFTER ALMOST two months of preparation, the SMC-RP Team finally gets its first taste of international competition in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran.

"They can’t wait to play," said RP coach Chot Reyes yesterday referring to his multimillionaire PBA players.

Members of the team, except for Red Bull center Enrico Villanueva and assistant coach Nash Racela, will leave on Air Emirates flight 335 at 12:20 a.m. today for the six-hour trip to Dubai. From there, it’s a two-hour flight to Tehran.

Villanueva could not join his teammates because Red Bull has a scheduled game against San Miguel Beer tomorrow in Cebu City.

Accompanied by Racela, Villanueva will leave the same evening and join the rest of the nationals at the Leyah Hotel in Tehran.

The Champions Cup is the first of three important tournaments they will join in hopes of earning an Olympic berth in next year’s Beijing Games.

The event serves as a vital tune-up for the nationals before it flies to Ratchaburi, Thailand for the May 24-28 Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Men’s Championship.

The SEABA meet is the elimination phase for the Olympic qualifying FIBA-Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan in late July.

The last time a Philippine team played in the Olympics was 36 years ago in Munich with Robert Jaworski and Jimmy Mariano at the helm.

Reyes said that winning the Champions Cup, where other teams are expected to use two imports, is not their goal.

"The most important thing for us is to learn and improve. Because our main concern is the next two tournaments, the SEABA and the FIBA Olympic qualifying," said Reyes.

With a bye on the first day, the nationals will play against host Iran on May 13, Kazakhstan second on May 14, Syria next on May 15 and Bahrain last in the eliminations on May 16.

After a day rest, the quarterfinals will be held on May 18, semifinals on May 19 and the finals on May 20.

source: www.mb.com.ph

[jrb0yd]

@ jrb0yd:

This tournament is supposed to toughen the team? What a wonderful joke that is considering that there are much more serious opponents crossing their way on the way to the Olympics.

Challenging clubteams from Iran, Kazakhstan Syria etc - what is that good for??? I was only missing the elementary school allstars from Mongolia in that list. Teams like that should be no mact at all for a team wishing to compete on a higher level with the real power houses in world basketball.
Why is the RP team not challenging real opponents in its preperation for the upcoming challenges?

Noone here could seriously consider these games a real challenge if the RP team is really as strong as some are hoping.

the problem with you is you are already talking about olympics... rp is taking it one at a time... how can we qualify to the olympics w/o first beating our asian opponents... we came in this tournament to know the caliber of asian teams... playing these teams would give us a clue on what to expect in fiba-asia championship... and dude you need not worry coz by next month rp will play serbian division I clubs in belgrade and invite other tough teams for some pocket tournaments...

[bsgermany]

Well, playing European clubteams in June or even later is certainly a good idea 'cause almost all teams will already be in their offseason by that time - so I'm wondering a little what kind of teams they want to play. In the offseason, all imports are back in the States and the top players on vacations.
As far as the upcoming tournament is concerned, I'm probably too much european thinking. Here you usually try to face stronger opponents, if you want to toughen up or even improve repectively learn.

[SkyWalker]

Tough road ahead for RP5
spacer




TEHRAN, Iran. — The participants may be fewer than expected, but the competition level remains basically the same. This was the assessment made by San Miguel-RP Team coach Chot Reyes after a quick scan of the opposition in the 18th FIBA-Asia Champions Cup that starts Saturday at the Azadi Sports Complex here.

"It’s still a tough field," noted Reyes during Friday evening’s reception party of the tournament that was reduced to just eight entries instead of the expected full compliment of 10.

For still unexplained reasons, Kuwait and Jordan failed to arrive, forcing a slight alteration in the tournament format, but basically making it a more compact and still hazard-laden event.

Perennial contender Lebanon, represented here by Blue Stars, is here along with former titlist Al Rayyan of Qatar.

Although the Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan have no import like the Philippines and India, Reyes believes it is foremost among the teams to watch out for.

"National team nila iyan and their coaches are their former stars," said Reyes who has coached against the towering Kazakhs in the 2005 and ‘06 Jones Cup.

Even Saba Battery Club of host Iran, which the Philippines takes on first Sunday, could be a darkhorse and mostly because of its imports, Nndabuem Muoneke and Joseph Fitzgerald Garth.

Muoneke is a former Purefoods import in the PBA but it is Garth, a beefy 6-foot10 who impresses Reyes more.

"Pati mukha me muscle," said Reyes.

Among the more prominent faces here is Julious Nwosu, one of Al Jalaa of Syria’s imports.

The 6’9 Nwosu was an integral part of the Team Harbour Centre-Philippines team that topped the tournament’s Southeast Asian qualifier in Jakarta, Indonesia last month, making possible the Nationals’ stint here.

But the Iranians and Syrians are only part of the tale.

The withdrawals forced organizers to make only slight alterations to the tournament format that brackets Lebanon, Qatar and India in Group A and Syria, Iran, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and the Philippines in Group B.

The teams in each group play a single round robin, but those in Group A are already seeded in the quarterfinals.

Group B is drastically different with the top team advancing outright to the semifinals on Saturday and the next three to Friday’s one-day quarterfinals.

Opening day games pit Iran against Bahrain, Lebanon versus Qatar and Kazakhstan versus India.

Prior to properly scouting the opposition, more especially the Philippines’ groupmates, Reyes, his staff and the Nationals spent Friday mostly recovering from the tiring trip from Manila that started just past midnight with an eight-hour trip to Dubai.

Next came a three-hour stop at the United Arab Emirates capital, a twohour hop to this Islamic republic and an hourlong bus ride to this sprawling capital bordered on three sides by the majestic, partly snow-capped Albors Mountain range.

source: www.mb.com.ph

[elgemeister]

Lack Of Height Evidence

7-FOOT-3 IMPORT JUST TOO MUCH FOR NATS AS SMC-RP BOWS TO IRAN
But Coach Chot remains optimistic, says Pinoys passed initial test
Monday, 14 May 2007

TEHRAN, Iran – The San Miguel-RP Team lost to Iran 88-101 Sunday, but coach Chot Reyes maintains more positive things are in store for the Nationals in the 18th FIBA Asia Champions Cup at the Azadi Sports Complex here.

"We have yet to play our best while they (Iranians) played as well as they can play," said Reyes after the loss that spoiled the Nationals' debut in the eight-nation tournament known as Asia's premier club championship.

"Still, I think our guys did pretty well, considering two of our main players in Mark (Caguioa) and Danny (Seigle) haven't played in an international competition before. This being our first international competition as a team, we viewed this as an initial test of our focus, energy and teamwork and although we lost I think the team passed," he added.

It's now a matter of bouncing back and the Nationals can do that Monday against the Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan in a game set at 8:45 p.m. (1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Manila time).

The Kazakhs themselves have rebounded from a 70-94 loss to Syria's Al Jalaa last Saturday by handily beating Bahrain's Al Musarraq 96-74 Sunday.

"Kazakhstan is an entirely different challenge. They have two Russian imports and though they are tall, they are mobile. Also, their wingmen have found their touch after struggling against Syria," said Reyes.

"But the real challenge is how our boys react after that loss to Iran. Ganyan talaga sa international competitions, you don't have much time to adjust. Again, our focus, energy and teamwork will be tested."

Besides, Kazakhstan does not have a really hulking giant like Iran's, one who proved to be as lethal as feared and, combined with the other perks for being host, propped the Iranians into dominating the match from the start and into their second straight win in Group B.

Joseph Garth, who proved to be a 7-foot-3, 330-lb behemoth from the Dominican Republic, had 39 points and 12 rebounds to lead the hosts' Saba Battery Club to the follow up to its 78-48 manhandling of Bahrain on Saturday.

Garth was so dominating with his overall inside presence that RP big men Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi and Enrico Villanueva were virtually powerless in containing him and all had aches and pains to show for their futile efforts.

"I'm the biggest guy in the PBA and I've never ever before had to hold off somebody with two hands," said the 6'9, 260-lb Taulava.

"He hurt my (right) shoulder on his first spin against me," said Pennisi, a known bruiser for Red Bull. "So the next time up, I gave him a hard slap and it's my whole arm that stung. I go, 'Oh, I'm sorry' and he just brushes it off like a fly."

But like Reyes, Taulava remains upbeat his team will accomplish its ultimate mission of doing well here and using the experience as springboard for next week's SEABA tilt and July's FIBA Asia championship.

"They're not gonna have somebody that big, that strong, that solid in the FIBA Asia," said the Talk N text center.

Dondon Hontiveros had 23 points and Caguioa 19 for the Nationals, who came out tight but flashed some of their fiery form in the second half to make a game of
it. That charge was only a spark, however.

In all, it was Garth who was the biggest difference, with his mini-hooks and backboard support-bending dunks. He also caused many of the Nationals to change and miss their shots and forced them to double team, leaving the Iranians' other shooters with brief open looks that were often enough.

Garth's soft hands made him 15-for-17 from the field and 9-for-11 from the stripe with 10 of his points coming after the Filipinos have whittled what was a 51-36 Saba lead to just 52-56.

Caguioa scored eight points, including a twisting shot, and Hontiveros six in that surge that fanned the hopes of the few Filipino supporters here that included some embassy officials led by consul Renato Duenas.

Then Garth simply took over. His three-point play capped a 19-7 run that gave Iran a 75-59 spread and his similar play stretched the difference to 91-73, only 3:26 left in the game.

The scores:

Iran 101 – Garth 39, S. Bahrami 17, Nzafat 16, A. Bahrami 9, Muoneke 9, Afagh 8, Afradi 2, Veisi 1.


San Miguel-RP 88 – Hontiveros 23, Caguioa 19, Pennisi 13, De Ocampo 7, Raymundo 6, Taulava 5, Ritualo 3, Alapag 2, Dela Cruz 2, Villanueva 2, Helterbrand 0.

Quarters: 32-25; 51-38; 78-64; 101-88.

[rensquared]

7-FOOT-3 IMPORT JUST TOO MUCH FOR NATS AS SMC-RP BOWS TO IRAN
But Coach Chot remains optimistic, says Pinoys passed initial test
Monday, 14 May 2007

TEHRAN, Iran – The San Miguel-RP Team lost to Iran 88-101 Sunday, but coach Chot Reyes maintains more positive things are in store for the Nationals in the 18th FIBA Asia Champions Cup at the Azadi Sports Complex here.

"We have yet to play our best while they (Iranians) played as well as they can play," said Reyes after the loss that spoiled the Nationals' debut in the eight-nation tournament known as Asia's premier club championship.

"Still, I think our guys did pretty well, considering two of our main players in Mark (Caguioa) and Danny (Seigle) haven't played in an international competition before. This being our first international competition as a team, we viewed this as an initial test of our focus, energy and teamwork and although we lost I think the team passed," he added.

It's now a matter of bouncing back and the Nationals can do that Monday against the Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan in a game set at 8:45 p.m. (1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Manila time).

The Kazakhs themselves have rebounded from a 70-94 loss to Syria's Al Jalaa last Saturday by handily beating Bahrain's Al Musarraq 96-74 Sunday.

"Kazakhstan is an entirely different challenge. They have two Russian imports and though they are tall, they are mobile. Also, their wingmen have found their touch after struggling against Syria," said Reyes.

"But the real challenge is how our boys react after that loss to Iran. Ganyan talaga sa international competitions, you don't have much time to adjust. Again, our focus, energy and teamwork will be tested."

Besides, Kazakhstan does not have a really hulking giant like Iran's, one who proved to be as lethal as feared and, combined with the other perks for being host, propped the Iranians into dominating the match from the start and into their second straight win in Group B.

Joseph Garth, who proved to be a 7-foot-3, 330-lb behemoth from the Dominican Republic, had 39 points and 12 rebounds to lead the hosts' Saba Battery Club to the follow up to its 78-48 manhandling of Bahrain on Saturday.

Garth was so dominating with his overall inside presence that RP big men Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi and Enrico Villanueva were virtually powerless in containing him and all had aches and pains to show for their futile efforts.

"I'm the biggest guy in the PBA and I've never ever before had to hold off somebody with two hands," said the 6'9, 260-lb Taulava.

"He hurt my (right) shoulder on his first spin against me," said Pennisi, a known bruiser for Red Bull. "So the next time up, I gave him a hard slap and it's my whole arm that stung. I go, 'Oh, I'm sorry' and he just brushes it off like a fly."

But like Reyes, Taulava remains upbeat his team will accomplish its ultimate mission of doing well here and using the experience as springboard for next week's SEABA tilt and July's FIBA Asia championship.

"They're not gonna have somebody that big, that strong, that solid in the FIBA Asia," said the Talk N text center.

Dondon Hontiveros had 23 points and Caguioa 19 for the Nationals, who came out tight but flashed some of their fiery form in the second half to make a game of
it. That charge was only a spark, however.

In all, it was Garth who was the biggest difference, with his mini-hooks and backboard support-bending dunks. He also caused many of the Nationals to change and miss their shots and forced them to double team, leaving the Iranians' other shooters with brief open looks that were often enough.

Garth's soft hands made him 15-for-17 from the field and 9-for-11 from the stripe with 10 of his points coming after the Filipinos have whittled what was a 51-36 Saba lead to just 52-56.

Caguioa scored eight points, including a twisting shot, and Hontiveros six in that surge that fanned the hopes of the few Filipino supporters here that included some embassy officials led by consul Renato Duenas.

Then Garth simply took over. His three-point play capped a 19-7 run that gave Iran a 75-59 spread and his similar play stretched the difference to 91-73, only 3:26 left in the game.

The scores:

Iran 101 – Garth 39, S. Bahrami 17, Nzafat 16, A. Bahrami 9, Muoneke 9, Afagh 8, Afradi 2, Veisi 1.


San Miguel-RP 88 – Hontiveros 23, Caguioa 19, Pennisi 13, De Ocampo 7, Raymundo 6, Taulava 5, Ritualo 3, Alapag 2, Dela Cruz 2, Villanueva 2, Helterbrand 0.

Quarters: 32-25; 51-38; 78-64; 101-88.

Its okay that we lost today. But its not the end of the world. It just showed that there's still a lot of work to be done.