RP cagers eke out win over Taiwan-B

TAIPEI – Powerade Team Pilipinas continued to struggle a few days before the real battle in Tianjin, China, blowing hot and cold and barely squeezing out a 94-90 win over Chinese Taipei-B in the 31st William Jones Cup basketball competition at the Hsinchuang Gymnasium here yesterday.

Willie Miller came through with 22 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists as he played extended minutes on coach Yeng Guiao’s decision to rest Jayjay Helterbrand.

The two-time PBA MVP winner, easily the best performer among the Nationals here, had another solid all-round game with Arwind Santos, Jarred Dillinger and Cyrus Baguio providing adequate backup.

But the rest groped for form, keeping the team from dishing out a fluid-motion game.

The Nationals couldn’t sustain a steady run with the combination of Wynne Arboleda, Asi Taulava, Arwind Santos, Jarred Dillinger and Japeth Aguilar floundering at the finish.

Taulava, Dillinger and Aguilar missed eight straight free throws, allowing the Taiwanese to get back into the game at 88-92 with 1:20 left to play.

It took a steal then a basket by Santos for the Nationals to eventually settle the outcome of the game at 94-88 with 35 seconds left to play.

Guiao later said he wanted Santos, Dillinger and Aguilar – rookies in international plays – to experience closing out the game.

“This team proved to be tough to beat. Though down by 10 points in the last two minutes, they didn’t give up and had the chance to beat us,” said Guiao of the Taiwanese.

“They don’t have big guys but their guards are good. They have great quickness, beating out our individual defense. They are also good shooters, giving us much problem,” Guiao added.

Taiwan-B coach Hsu Chin Chao said at least three players from his team are likely to make the Taiwan squad for the FIBA-Asia championship.

Guiao used only 11 players versus Taiwan-B with Mick Pennisi staying at the hotel with a fever and James Yap having flown home to be with his wife Kris on the bedside of former President Cory Aquino.

Members of the RP delegation wore a yellow patch on their shirts during the game in honor of the former president.

The game announcer mentioned something about Mrs. Aquino, then the Tie a Yellow Ribbon song was played after the call-out.

Santos fired back-to-back three-pointers to close out the first period at 28-22 in their favor.

The Nationals stayed on top until going on a dry spell for over five minutes, allowing the Taiwanese to surge ahead at 51-48 in the third period.

RP-Powerade regained control at 60-51 but seemed to hold back its punches, allowing the Taiwanese to stay in the game.

It was the Nationals’ second win following a victory over Kazakhstan Monday. Taiwan has only one win to show, coming at the expense of Japan.