Despite losing the battle for third place against Al Rayyan of Qatar, 71-64, Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas were able to better their seventh-place finished in last year’s edition.
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Smart Gilas shot a very poor 3-of-23 from the three-point arc against Qatar. National head coach Rajko Toroman must immediately address this problem as outside shooting is very vital in playing the zone in the coming FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifiers in Wuhan, China on September.
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Wonder why Toroman did not utilized Japeth Aguilar in the homestretch of their game against Qatar. With their outside shots not clicking, Aguilar could have been a factor inside the painted area.
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Marcus Douthit has improved a lot offensively for Smart Gilas. He never averaged in double digit in points during his US Collegiate career while playing for Providence. He led the Gilas squad with 28 points and 17 rebounds in the losing battle against Al Rayyan squad.
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Leslie Chauncey, one of the two imports of Al Rayyan, impressed a lot of pundits with his consistent backcourt play. Chauncey could be a good choice of an import in the coming PBA Governor’s Cup set to start on Saturday, June 11.
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Fadi El Khatib of Al Riyadi Beirut can now really be considered a legend in Asian basketball, after pouring in 41 big points in leading the Lebanese club to the championship over the dethroned champions, Mahram of Iran, 91-82 in a very exciting finals match. Many wonders why he did not make it to the Sacramento Kings or the Los Angles Clippers final roster in 2003.
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Most of the Filipino fans decided to stay at the PhilSports Arena right after the Smart Gilas game to watch the finale between Al Riyadi and Mahram and they got their money’s worth. They become witnesses to a truly first-class international game.
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One outstanding player in the Mahram squad was Samad Nikkhah Bahrami. The well-built forward was the most consistent player of the Iranian club throughout the tournament. He top scored anew for Mahram during the finals with 28 points.
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The Al Riyadi Beirut squad for winning the 22nd FIBA-Asia Champions Cup got a $200,000 bonus from team owner Hisham Jaroudi, who flew in 15 hours to catch his team's championship game against Mahram of Iran.
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