Gilas fall to Al Ahli in Dubai Invitational

The Philippine men's basketball national team Smart Gilas was unable to make it two in a row, suffering a huge trouncing at the hands of local Dubai club Al Ahli, Saturday (early Sunday, PHL time), 97-82, at the Al Ahli gym, in their second assignment of the Dubai Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Tambak, 97-82. My fault. I inexplicably lost my voice 5 mins into d game pa lang. Gone. Just like that. Couldn't coach well d rest of d way

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) January 12, 2013
 
 

The national team got a huge boost Friday, (early Saturday, PHL time) winning their first game in comeback fashion against Lebanese side Mouttahed Tripoli, 79-77, but their opponents made sure there wouldn't be a repeat of that, staking out an eight-point lead, 26-18, after one quarter.

[Related: Smart Gilas storm back from early deficit, drop Mouttahed Tripoli]

Al Ahli, which lost to Sporting Aramex of Jordan in their tourney opener, led by as much as 23, before allowing Gilas to cut slightly into the final deficit.

Gilas plays their third game of the elimination round on Monday (early Tuesday, PHL time). - AMD, GMA News