Gilas seeks 8th win vs Bolts

source: manila bulletin
Game Saturday (Tacloban Convention Center, Tacloban City)
6 p.m. – Smart-Gilas Pilipinas vs Meralco

Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – Air21 vs Powerade
6:30 p.m. – Barangay Ginebra vs Talk ’N Text

MANILA, Philippines – After getting an outright semifinal slot, Smart-Gilas Pilipinas targets the No. 1 spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs when it shoots for its 8th win against Meralco Saturday at the Tacloban Convention Center in Tacloban City.

Sporting a league best 7-1 record, the Nationals meet the Meralco Bolts at 6 p.m. in a game presented by Phoenix Fuel.

Smart-Gilas claimed the first outright semis berth following a 111-104 victory against Barangay Ginebra last Wednesday where naturalized Marcus Douthit tallied 30 points and 17 rebounds on his comeback game from injury.

The 6-foot-10 Douthit sat out during the national team’s game against Powerade in order to rest his right ankle which he sprained during their showdown with B-Meg Derby Ace.

Although Douthit is not yet in his best form, the Bolts should be ready to defend the shaded lane which the naturalized Filipino center is expected to dominate.

Since they want to have a winning feeling going into the semis, the Nationals are expected to go all-out to achieve their goal.

“We’ll try to win the game, which will give us the No. 1 slot in the semis,” said coach Rajko Toroman said. “Nobody expected us to be in the semifinals, but now we have an opportunity to be the top team. We’ll definitely go for the win.”

Though they are already out of the playoff race, the Bolts – just the same – want to close their campaign on a winning note.

They dropped to a 2-6 record after losing to Air21, 110-101 last Wednesday.

While he was obviously disappointed with their showing this conference, Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said they learned some valuable lessons from their defeats.

Still, Gregorio is confident they can do better next conference, believing his team – which acquired Sol Mercado from Rain or Shine – has what it takes to be a title contender.

“Indeed a challenging conference for us and we are using it as a springboard for the next conference,” said Gregorio.

“We are a new franchise trying to build character and establish our identity. I am seeing progress despite our early setbacks. We will continue to persevere versus Smart-Gilas,” added Gregorio.

Smart-Gilas guard Chris Tiu is again a doubtful starter due to a bruised left shoulder he sustained against Powerade.

Even without Tiu, Toroman can always count on JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael, Chris Lutzs, Mark Barroca and Greg Slaughter.

source: manila bulletin