FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2011 Day 5 Round-up: Smart Gilas Pilipinas and Al Riyadi Beirut win (Part 1)
Smart Gilas Pilipinas 76 - Applied Science University 74
On Wednesday, in the last preliminary game of Group-A, Dondon Hontiveros steered the hosts Smart Gilas Pilipinas to an electrifying 76-74 win over Jordanian champions Applied Science University (ASU). In an encounter between the
two most potent teams of Group A, Hontiveros scored 23 points, including six shots from the long range, along with four rebounds and two steals.
Smart Gilas tipped off aggressively and put the first points on the board. ASU however maintained parity and were tied with the hosts at 8, deep into the first frame. They then made a late 8-4 surge though and sealed the quarter
in their favour with a 16-12 advantage. The game became more intense as the game entered into second quarter. Pilipinas quickly slashed the deficit and the lead changed hands on two occasions. However, the hosts failed to capitalize on their momentum and allowed
ASU to carry a single point lead into the break.
The see saw battle ensued in the third quarter as both teams tallied 18 points apiece. When the period ended, ASU were leading Smart Gilas by 46-45. Andy Mark Barroca hit the go-ahead shot (47-46) early in the fourth to put Smart
Gilas in front and there after Pilipinas didn’t allow ASU to lead as they kept their composure during the crunch moments and managed to squeak past the Jordanians.
Jameel Watkins led ASU as he tallied game-high 25 points and seven rebounds, shooting 69 percent from the field.
Al Riyadi Beirut 86 – Al Jalaa 73
In Group-B, Al Riyadi Beirut’s bench proved too tough for Al Jalaa as the Lebanese squad finished the preliminary round with an 86-73 win over the Syrian side. Al Riyadi outperformed Al Jalaa from the free throw line and from the
three-point range on the night. Amir Saoud led Al Riyadi with 28 points, three rebounds and two assists.
The scores were tied at 10, midway through the first quarter, when Al Jalaa used a 10-5 surge to finish the first quarter with a 20-15 advantage. However, Al Riyadi limited the Syrians to just 16 points in the second quarter, while
their offence chipped in with 24 to take the lead at the interval.
Leading by 39-36, entering into the third quarter Al Riyadi raised their lead to double-digit with 2:34 to go in the third quarter. The Syrians trimmed the deficit to eight when the third period proceedings ended. Al Riyadi used
some early possessions and extended their lead to 14 with more than five minutes left in the game. Al Jalaa started fading away from there on wards and Al Riyadi cruised past them. Rami Merjaneh was the major contributor for Al Jalaa, scored 16 points.
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