Smart Gilas-RP past Dohuk-Iraq, enters quarterfinals

 

 

DOHA - Serbian import Milan Vucicevic’s success on the paint at the buzzer took Smart Gilas to the quarterfinal with a 76-74 win against Iraq’s Duhok on Wednesday.

The Filipinos with this win – their first in the competition in four games – thus completed the quarterfinal line-up earning a last eight clash against Al Riyadi Beirut (Lebanon).

“The team showed a lot of character especially in the pressure moments,” said Smart Gilas coach Toroman Rajko.

“We had lost a couple of games, which probably we could have won. But then this needs this experience,” he added.

Marnel Baracael opened the scoring for Smart Gilas, and the game, but it was Duhok who took charge with an 8-0 run.

Smart Gilas were to be done with and they replied with their own run – a 7-0 spree.

Those were in the opening moments of the game.

The proceedings from then on went on even keel with neither able to forge ahead into any substantial lead.

With less than three minutes left and the scores tantalizingly tied at 62, Chris Tiu scattered the rival defense followed Serbian import Milan Vucicevic’s back-to-to back successes on the paint to put Smart Gilas ahead.

Six of Vucicevic’s 10 points for the game came incidentally in the last three minutes of the game.

Calvin Cage proved Duhok’s savior at this stage helping the side level the score at 74, with about six seconds left on the clock.

And then came the move to clinch the issue with Mark Baroca’s assist opening up the needed space for Vucicevic to score.

“We missed too many shots when we needed them,” lamented Iraq coach Hama Bakkal.

“But we can be proud of the way we fought and lost,” he added.

Scores

Smart Gilas, PHI 76 (Marnel Baracel 22, Mark Baroca 15, Christ Tiu 12, Dylan Ababou 12, Milan Vucicevic 10) bt Duhok, IRQ 74 (Calvin Cage 34, Priest Lauderdale 17, Qutaiba Mohammed 13).

Quarters: 18-22, 36-34, 52-53, 76-74.