Miller couldn't sleep thinking of RP's loss

TIANJIN – Willie Miller said he had a hard time getting to sleep Saturday night, peeved by their 56-69 loss to South Korea.

Miller, a two-time PBA MVP awardee who’s been Powerade Team Pilipinas’ most consistent player since their SEABA stint, said he’s particularly displeased by their woeful shooting.

“It’s hard to explain. It’s so unfortunate that all off us were off at the same time,” rued Miller.

The Nationals converted only four of 27 three-point attempts, 19 of 50 two-point tries and six of 11 free throws – their worst shooting in three games here.

“Yung isang tres ko, sabi ko ‘yari na’, kaso kinapos. Tapos yung sumunod, kumabig naman,” Miller said.

Miller and Mick Pennisi combined for the four three-pointers. Jayjay Helterbrand, Jared Dillinger, Kerby Raymundo, James Yap and Joachim Thoss were 0-of-13 combined from beyond the arc.

“Di ko maintindihan. Napipi ang ring sa amin. Pero hindi na siguro mangyayari uli yon,” said Miller.

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After reviewing the game tape and analyzing the stats, coach Yeng Guiao was convinced they lost to Korea not in shooting but on fouls.

“We beat them on points from turnovers, 4-2, points in the paint, 36-34, second chance points, 16-7, and fast break points, 14-4. We lost the game in giving them 27 foul shots,” said Guiao.

“The difference of 13 points came from there. They had 27 charities and converted 19 as against our 11 free-throw attempts and six made. That’s exactly a difference of 13,” Guiao said.

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Burger King’s Lito Alvarez has formally taken over the PBA board chairmanship from Alaska’s Joaqui Trillo at the start of their planning session here Sunday morning.

During the break, the PBA Commissioner’s Office hosted a lunch for the board and members of Powerade Team Pilipinas.

With Alvarez were vice chairman Rene Pardo of Purefoods, treasurer Atty. Mert Mondragon of Rain or Shine, Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty, Robert Non of Barangay Ginebra, Ely Capacio of San Miguel Beer, Tony Chua of Barako Bull and Pato Gregorio of Smart Sports representing Ricky Vargas of Talk n Text.

JB Baylon of Coca-Cola was here much earlier as RP team manager. Former chair Joaqui Trillo of Alaska failed to make the trip.

The league governors and commissioner Sonny Barrios will tackle, among others, the annual budget, construction of a PBA coliseum, a one-game-a-day format, a women’s league, a bingo extravaganza at halftime, and a proposed partnership with a developmental league. – Nelson Beltran