Smart Gilas storm back from early deficit, drop Mouttahed Tripoli

The Philippine national team Smart Gilas stormed back from a 0-11 start to the game and then came up with plucky defensive play on the very last possession, to steal a 79-77 win over Mouttahed Tripoli, Friday (early Saturday, PHL time) at the Al Ahli gym in Dubai, in their first assignment of the Dubai Invitational Basketball tournament.

Gilas wins its 1st game vs Mouttahed 79 -77!!! Great win for the young team! Mabuhay!!!!

— Butch Antonio (@BAAntonio) January 11, 2013
 

The national squad, comprised mostly of newcomers from the cadet team, started out shakily, conceding an 11-0 start to the Lebanese team, but they eventually found their groove, snatching a 41-40 lead at the break thanks to some hot shooting by Meralco Bolt Ronjay Buenafe, who scored 10 by the break.

[Related: Gilas roster for Dubai International Tournament released]

The third quarter saw the lead swing back and forth between the two teams. Off a Gilas turnover and an offensive rebound, Mouttahed built a 51-46 advantage, but an RR Garcia triple and a Marcus Douthit score knotted the game anew.

Mouttahed went up by three late in the quarter, but a Kevin Alas drive got the Philippines to within a point, then a Douthit put-back reset the table, handing Gilas back their one-point advantage with a quarter remaining.
 
The fourth quarter was all about Alas and his NLEX Road Warriors teammate Garvo Lanete. Down three, 66-63, the duo engineered a 9-0 run that gave Gilas their largest lead of the game, 72-66, with 5:43 remaining in the game.

Their foes crept to within a point on a triple, 72-71, but Alas and Lanete nailed back-to-back hits to rebuild their advantage.

Things got dicey again as Mouttahed got within two points, 79-77, with under a minute to go. On the next Gilas possession, stingy defense forced the Philippines to throw the ball up to beat the shot clock. Alas was there though to steal the rebound and draw a foul, but the Letran Knight missed both charities with 17.4 seconds left, giving possession back to Mouttahed and a chance for them to win the game.

However, it was not meant to be, as Lanete was all over the recipient of the inbounds pass. His steal clinched the win for the Philippines, allowing Smart Gilas to begin the tourney on a positive note.

Beat Mottaheed of Lebanon, w 3 US imports & 3 natl team players.,79-77,after being down by 15 in d 1st.Marcus 20,Garvo 15 Ronjay 10, Kevin 9

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) January 11, 2013

Marcus Douthit led Gilas with 20 points. Garvo Lanete added 15, while Kevin Alas chipped in nine.

Next up for the Philippines is host club Al Ahli, Saturday (early Sunday, PHL time). - AMD, GMA News