Jordan gives RP wake-up call

TAIPEI – Powerade Team Pilipinas suffered an eye-opener of a loss at the start of the 31st Williams Jones Cup basketball competition here last night while ranged against a highly competitive team for the first time since their formation in November last year.

The RP squad kept up with Jordan only in the opening quarter before fading away to absorb a 59-90 blowout, much to the disappointment of a sizable Filipino crowd at the Hsinchuang Gymnasium here.

If anything, the match jolted the Nationals to their senses that they’re far from ready for the FIBA-Asia championship that is set to unfold three weeks from now in Tianjin, China.

“Jordan is a contender in the FIBA-Asia championship. If we hope to make the Turkey world championship, we have to learn how to beat teams like Jordan. If we play this way, our hopes diminish,” said RP coach Yeng Guiao.

At least in this contest, the Nationals were exposed as a team short in everything -- something that can be attributed to their lack of international exposure.

“Talagang kulang. We didn’t even have much practice. Three guys (Jayjay Helterbrand, Mick Pennisi and Cyrus Baguio) joined us here without a single practice in the last three weeks,” said Guiao.

“But it’s just the start of the tourney. It’s better to lose this way now. Hopefully, the boys realize that they have a job cut out for them,” Guiao added.

It would be remembered that the 2007 RP team, toughened up by overseas training and tourneys, engaged Jordan in close battles in the Jones Cup and in the FIBA-Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan.

But not now.

For all intents and purposes, the game was over after the first half as Jordan pummeled the Philippines, 25-4, in the second quarter for a 42-19 halftime spread.

Playing together for years now under Brazilian coach Mario Palma, the Jordanese displayed tremendous form and firepower, dominating the Filipinos in the second quarter onwards.

They controlled the boards, rotated the ball methodically and shot well to lead by as many as 34 in the lopsided win that augured well for their title-retention campaign in the tourney.

Palma thought they just played better in this particular game.

“The Philippines is a good team. I don’t think they played their normal game. This is just the first game. They will improve as the tournament goes on,” said Palma.

Jordan dominated the boards, 47-33, and outscored the Philippines, 36-9, from the three-point area.

“We have to find a way to be able to contend with bigger teams. Jordan can shoot well and can play defense. If we can’t run and convert our threes, then we’re in trouble. That’s what happened tonight,” said Guiao.

Veterans Zaid Alkhas, Rasheim Wright and Jamal Almaayta hurt the Philippines the most with the three all finishing in double figures.

Asi Taulava paced the Filipinos with 10.

In earlier games, it was Lebanon over Taipei-B, 93-61, and Korea over Kazakhstan, 75-73.