Tiu powers Gilas past Lebanon in Dubai cagefest

Smart Gilas team captain Chris Tiu scored 19 points to lead the Philippine developmental team to a 77-71 win over Champville Lebanon Friday in the 21st Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Al Ahli Sports Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Tiu, the former Ateneo King Eagle who is part of the 2008 champion team, had plenty of support from Jamal Sampson and Japeth Aguilar as the Gilas 5 of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman bounced back from a 90-76 loss to Syria’s Al Jalaa on opening day. Sampson, who is being eyed by the Philippines for naturalization and missed the game against Syria, tallied 11 points while Aguilar added 10 markers and grabbed three rebounds. Fadi El Khatib scored 40 points to lead Lebanon while Ghaleb Rida chipped in 10 more. Smart Gilas’ other members are UAAP Season 72 most valuable player Dylan Ababou, co-captain Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, JV Casio, RJ Jazul, Jason Balesteros, Greg Slaughter, Maggie Sison, and Marcio Lassiter. – GMANews.TV