Smart Gilas Pilipinas in tour shut-out

The touring Philippine national basketball team Smart Gilas Pilipinas completed a clean sweep on Sunday, March 21, at the Alexandria Basketball Stadium in Sydney by trouncing Sydney Comets, 93-81, in the final game of the six-game tour.

It was the team’s fifth victory, having conceded a tie against the Australian Institute of Sport, 73-all, in the third game.

Former Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Japeth Aguilar proved the game’s big star, scoring 29 points and snatching10 rebounds for top billing.

Gilas’ coach Rajko Toroman said his young team saved the best for last, clearly benefiting from the tour and playing their best game against the toughest team they faced.

The Filipinos trailed at the end of the third quarter, 64-66, but played what Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vice chairman and former Philippine Basketball Association chairman Ricky Vargas described as a “fantastic last period” to win.

Aguilar finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter had 17. Other scorers were Mark Barroca (14), skipper Chris Tiu (13), Greg Slaughter (7), Mac Baracael (6), Jason Ballesteros (5) and RJ Jazul (2).

Smart Gilas Pilipinas – Australian Tour Results: March 15 – Smart Gilas def. Australian U19 NT, 78-67; March 16 – Smart Gilas def. AIS, 79-73; March 17 – Smart Gilas ties AIS, 73-73; March 18 – Smart Gilas def. Canberra Gunners, 101-84; March 19 – Smart Gilas def. NSWIS, 82-63; March 21 – Smart Gilas def. Sydney City Comets, 93-81.

The Filipinos flew back to Manila for a brief rest before moving on to Serbia for another series.

“We did great in Australia and we hope to keep on improving with the Serbian trip,” said Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim.

Gilas play the much taller Serbian club teams as part of a buildup for this year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, and next year’s FIBA-Asia championship berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

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