The Philippines, represented here by collegiate champions Ateneo de Manila University and reinforced by four players from rival Adamson University, overwhelmed the Thailand National Team, 83-63, at the 18th 3D-Gold Super Kung Sheung Cup held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong.
King Eagle heir apparent Kirk Long and Adamson Falcons stalwart Julius Colina, who just a week earlier were at each other's throats at the 2010 PCCL Championship in Manila, joined forces in dismantling the Thai defense with their inside-outside game and well-oiled plays. The duo topscored for the Philippine side with 20 points apiece, with Bacon Austria of Ateneo providing able back-up with 10 points.
After a slow start that saw the Thais erecting a short-lived, four-point lead in the first quarter, 19-15, the Filipinos tightened the screws on defense to build a 36-26 lead at the half.
Long then teamed up with Adamson arch-rival Alex Nuyles in slamming the gas pedal at the start of the third canto, as they outran, outgunned and outfoxed their opponents en route to a 61-45 cushion entering the fourth quarter. Nuyles, who struggled in the first half, wowed the predominantly Hong Kong crowd with a breakaway slam off a Kirk Long feed.
Thai pivotman Thonchai Thippayaprapai and gutsy forward Darongpan Apiromvilaichai were the lone bright spots for Thailand, scoring 14 and 11 points, respectively.
A sizeable Filipino contingent among the audience expressed optimism at the Philippines' chances here, especially after a disappointing finish by the CESAFI All-Stars in the 2008 edition, which saw a collegiate selection from Cebu bannered by 6'10 behemoth Junmar Fajardo, getting whipped by host Hong Kong, 100-61, in the finals.
The coaching staff, however, are wary of the size advantage of the other teams, particularly the two club teams from China and the Southern California Fukienese Association, bolstered by athletic African-Americans and youtube sensation David Kalb, renowned for beating Lebron James in a game of H-O-R-S-E.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles, three-peat UAAP Champions, earned the right to represent the Philippines in the tournament by beating the Adamson Soaring Falcons at the recently concluded PCCL Championship in Manila. Interestingly, Adamson loaned four cagers to bolster Ateneo's roster here after key players from the Ateneo side had begged off for academic reasons.
The Philippines next takes on the GCC Group and Xin Cheng Holdings basketball teams of China, hoping to land in the top two in their group to break into the semifinal round.
PHL 83 - Long 20, Colina 20, Austria 10, Alvarez 8, Dela Cruz 6, Sumalinog 6, Nuyles 4, Erram 4, Salva 3, Camson 2, Golla 0, Tiongson 0
THA 63 - Thongchai 14, Darunpong 11, Darongpan 10, Kittipot 9, Thansith 4, Paramet 4, Kittisak 4, Suttiket 3, Sakgarin 2, Pongsago 2
- Ryan Asis Maniago
King Eagle heir apparent Kirk Long and Adamson Falcons stalwart Julius Colina, who just a week earlier were at each other's throats at the 2010 PCCL Championship in Manila, joined forces in dismantling the Thai defense with their inside-outside game and well-oiled plays. The duo topscored for the Philippine side with 20 points apiece, with Bacon Austria of Ateneo providing able back-up with 10 points.
After a slow start that saw the Thais erecting a short-lived, four-point lead in the first quarter, 19-15, the Filipinos tightened the screws on defense to build a 36-26 lead at the half.
Long then teamed up with Adamson arch-rival Alex Nuyles in slamming the gas pedal at the start of the third canto, as they outran, outgunned and outfoxed their opponents en route to a 61-45 cushion entering the fourth quarter. Nuyles, who struggled in the first half, wowed the predominantly Hong Kong crowd with a breakaway slam off a Kirk Long feed.
Thai pivotman Thonchai Thippayaprapai and gutsy forward Darongpan Apiromvilaichai were the lone bright spots for Thailand, scoring 14 and 11 points, respectively.
A sizeable Filipino contingent among the audience expressed optimism at the Philippines' chances here, especially after a disappointing finish by the CESAFI All-Stars in the 2008 edition, which saw a collegiate selection from Cebu bannered by 6'10 behemoth Junmar Fajardo, getting whipped by host Hong Kong, 100-61, in the finals.
The coaching staff, however, are wary of the size advantage of the other teams, particularly the two club teams from China and the Southern California Fukienese Association, bolstered by athletic African-Americans and youtube sensation David Kalb, renowned for beating Lebron James in a game of H-O-R-S-E.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles, three-peat UAAP Champions, earned the right to represent the Philippines in the tournament by beating the Adamson Soaring Falcons at the recently concluded PCCL Championship in Manila. Interestingly, Adamson loaned four cagers to bolster Ateneo's roster here after key players from the Ateneo side had begged off for academic reasons.
The Philippines next takes on the GCC Group and Xin Cheng Holdings basketball teams of China, hoping to land in the top two in their group to break into the semifinal round.
PHL 83 - Long 20, Colina 20, Austria 10, Alvarez 8, Dela Cruz 6, Sumalinog 6, Nuyles 4, Erram 4, Salva 3, Camson 2, Golla 0, Tiongson 0
THA 63 - Thongchai 14, Darunpong 11, Darongpan 10, Kittipot 9, Thansith 4, Paramet 4, Kittisak 4, Suttiket 3, Sakgarin 2, Pongsago 2
- Ryan Asis Maniago
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