SMART-Gilas takes care of business vs Malaysia, wins by 35

AFP/Liu Jin

The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team slugged it out in a defensive battle through the first quarter and a half before finding its groove to rout Malaysia, 85-50, in the SEABA qualifying tournament for the FIBA Asia Cup in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Philippines led Malaysia, 15-8, with a little over eight minutes to go in the second period before Aldrech Ramos scored four straight points after an unsportsmanlike foul from Malaysia’s Hong Hoong Gan to spark a 10-2 run. Before the foul, the nationals were shooting just 4-for-19 from the field (21%) while Malaysia shot 2-for-19 (10.5%).

SMART-Gilas outscored Malaysia 28-8 in the second to enter the break up by 27 points.

Garvo Lanete scored 11 of the team’s 22 points in third quarter as they extended their lead to 37 after three quarters.

Lanete led all scorers with 14 points while naturalized center Marcus Douthit finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in just 23 minutes of play.

No player had more than eight points for Malaysia.

SMART-Gilas closes their qualifying campaign against hosts Thailand on Saturday.

The scores:

SMART-Gilas Pilipinas (85) – Lanete 14, Douthit 11, Baracael 9, Monfort 8, Ramos 8, Tenorio 8, Thoss 8, Marcelo 6, Co 5 , Hermida 4, Tiu 4.

Malaysia (50) – Choo 8, Tong 7, Chong 6, Loh 6, S. Ng 6, Kuek 5, Ong 5, Gan 3, Kwaan 3, K. Ng 1, Chin 0, Yeo 0.

Quarterscores: 15-8, 43-16, 65-28, 85-50.

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