Jones Cup: Coach says loss gives RP glimpse of Jordanian style

Games on Saturday Hsin Chuang Stadium 11 a.m. - Lebanon vs Jordan 1 p.m. - Kazakhstan vs USA 3:30 p.m. - Philippines vs Iran 5:30 p.m. - Japan vs. Korea 7:30 p.m. - Qatar vs. Taipei San Miguel-Team Pilipinas team head coach Vincent "Chot" Reyes is beaming despite his wards' 74-70 defeat to Jordan on Friday night at the 29th William Jones Cup in Taiwan. "If there's such a thing as a good loss, I think this is it," Reyes said in a statement issued on Friday evening. He said the defeat, the Philippine's third in five games, showed much about the Jordanians, whom the Filipinos will again confront during the group eliminations of the FIBA Asia men's championship in Japan late this month. "Itinago ng Jordan si Ayman Dies against the United States. Pinagpahinga din nila yung si Jamal Almaaytah," Reyes said. "Pero sa atin, inilabas nila ang dalawang iyon." While Jordan went at full throttle, Reyes still managed to hold some punches, reserving the likes of Ren-Ren Ritualo, Nino Cañaleta, and Ranidel de Ocampo. For most of the way, Reyes opted to go small with combinations that featured the likes of Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, and Dondon Hontiveros, along with two big men against the Jordanian, whose average height is 6'-6.5". Jordan, which seized solo lead with a lofty 4-1 record, enjoyed its biggest spread at halftime, 38-36. Mark Caguioa fired 11 points in the third quarter and Kelly Williams added five as Team Pilipinas chopped down the Jordan lead to 53-48. The Filipinos, who clamped down on defense, came to within two points thrice, the last at 70-68 on a triple by Gabe Norwood, 1:31 to go. "I like the attitude displayed by my boys and I'm satisfied. We came to within two free throws of tying the score," Reyes said, pointing out flubbed charities by Kerby Raymundo off Zeid Abbas with 1:03 remaining. After that, Enver Zoobzokov scored on a jumper and import Rashiem Wright canned two free throws to seal the victory. "I'll take this loss anytime. At least, alam natin na kaya nating manalo sa kanila sa Tokushima," Reyes said. Despite the victory, Jordan coach Mario Palma says he is still wary of his team's chances against the Filipinos in the FIBA Asia men's championship in Tokushima Japan late this month. "Jordan might be the best team at the moment here in the Jones Cup, but the Philippines is a tough squad and the better team will win in Japan," Palma said. Jordan is one of two teams playing in the Jones Cup that is in the same bracket as the Philippines in the FIBA Asia men's tournament. The other is Iran, which San Miguel-Team Pilipinas meets a 3:30 pm Saturday. In the other matches Friday, defennding champion Athletes In Action-USA sent Lebanon reeling to its second straight setback, 81-70. And Qatar handed Japan its fourth loss in five outings via an 86-68 rout. The scores Jordan (74): Almaayta 18, Idais 15, Daghles 9,Alkhas 8, Wright 8, Abbas 6, Sobzoko 5, Al-Sous 3, Abbas 2, Anajjar 0 Philippines (70): Caguioa 25,Alapag 17, Raymundo 8, Norwood 5, Wiliams 5, Hontiveros 4, Helterbrand 4, Taulava 2, Pennisi 0, Yap 0, Menk 0 Quarter scores: 14-9; 38-26; 53-48; 74-70 Standings (Wins-Losses) Lebanon 3-1 Jordan 3-1 Philippines 2-2 Korea 2-2 USA 2-2 Iran 2-2 Qatar 2-2 Chinese Taipei 2-2 Kazakhstan 1-3 Japan 1-3

- GMANews.TV