Smart Gilas Pilipinas routs North Korea, 96-69 (Asian Games 2010 - Men's Basketball)

PHL Gilas whips NoKors in Asiad consolation match

GUANGZHOU — The Philippines-Smart Gilas team walloped North Korea, 96-69, in their consolation match in the 16th Asian Games men’s basketball tournament Thursday at the Yingdon Gymnasium.

PHL 5 head coach Rajko Toroman drew strength from his second unit in pulling off the convincing win, thus securing a berth in the battle for fifth spot. The Filipinos await the winner of the Qatar-Jordan match.

With the entire basketball nation still mourning the Filipinos’ failure to land in the medal round following a 66-74 setback at the hands of South Korea in the quarterfinals, Toroman and his troops vented their ire on North Korea.

“It’s a pity that we are not in the semifinals. I know that we have a quality team here," said Toroman.

With Asi Taulava sitting out, Greg Slaughter grabbed the opportunity to dish out his best performance yet, tallying 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.

Slaughter also snared 13 rebounds.

Mac Baracael also finished with 18 points while Chris Lutz, hardly a factor for most of the team’s campaign, netted his highest output in the quadrennial meet with 15 points to go along with his 10 rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes.

Toroman opted to rest Taulava, and gave PBA superstar Kelly Williams and Marcio Lassiter limited minutes to keep them fresh for the battle for fifth spot.

“I wanted other players to play more minutes to give Asi, Kelly and Marcio some rest," said Torman, who predicted a win by Qatar, which the Philippines beat in the Group F preliminary round, 90-68.

JV Casio scored all of his 13 points in the first half when the PHL 5 took a 54-47 lead.

Mark Barroca and team captain Chris Tiu each finished with nine markers.

PBA budding star Sol Mercado re-injured his foot during the game, so that his services will be missed in the final game for fifth spot.

The Philippines missed the semifinals of the Asian Games for the first time since 1982. The men’s basketball team had won the first four editions of the Asiad, in 1951, 1954, 1958 and 1962.

The worst finish was in 1966 in Thailand when the Filipino cagers ended sixth. - RCJ, GMANews.TV