Kobe Bryant stars as NBA team edges out Smart Gilas Pilipinas in game-2 of the Philippines tourney
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant erupted with a game-high 17 points to spearhead the NBA stars to a 98-89 victory over the Smart Gilas Pilipinas at the Araneta Coliseum, Manila on Sunday night.
In doing so, the National Basketball Association Stars swept the Ultimate NBA All-Star Weekend series 2-0.
Unlike the series opener, the second exhibition game showcased a tremendous fight back from Smart Gilas in the second half of the game. However, the home team stopped short of pulling an incredible upset.
Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ coach Rajko Toroman was quite pleased with the performance of his team, which played tough and made the life difficult for the NBA superstars. The PBA All-Stars were dominated by the NBA All-stars in the
first game however the likes of Kobe, Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant had a run for their money this time around.
Point guard Joseph Evans Casio was the top performer for the home team. He racked up 16 points while Marcus Eugene Douthit finished the game with 15 points.
Oklahoma City Thunders’ scoring machine Kevin Durant and Washington Wizards centre JaVale McGee once again delivered for the NBA stars and finished with 16 points apiece.
The home team managed to procure 6-4 advantage at the start of the first quarter. However, Bryant lifted the momentum for the NBA stars and knocked down 7 points in the period to propel his team to a 28-16 advantage at the end
of the first period.
NBA players continued to dominate in the second period as well and took their advantage to 55-37 at the end of the first half. Although Smart Gilas came up with a better performance in the third quarter however, the NBA players
countered their every move and amplified their lead to 19-points before entering the final quarter.
Even after trailing by a massive margin in the fourth quarter, Smart Gilas did not surrender and showcased a tremendous fight back. Joseph Evans scored 11 points of his 16 in the last period to power the offensive system of Smart
Gilas. Keyed by him, the Filipinos outscored the NBA star in the fourth quarter 29-19, however the huge lead that was constructed by the visiting team in the first three quarters helped them to seal a 98-89 win.
Tags: