by Joey Villar, Philstar.com
Smart Gilas surged back from 15 points down through Marcus Douthit’s sustained firepower then leaned on clutch shooting down the stretch to edge Syria’s Al-Jala’a, 85-80, and assure the country of its best finish in 15 years in the FIBA Champions Cup before flag-waving Friday crowd at the Philsports Arena.
The Nationals continued to play with poise and heart so evident in their last two games, turning back the Syrians’ last-ditch rally with pressure-laden offensives and incisive passing to notch the win and a seat in the semifinal round of the 22nd staging of the tournament.
Douthit fired 12 of 26 points in the last quarter in a one-on-one duel with former Los Angeles Laker Samaki Walker as the Nationals went on to post their best finish in the Champions Cup since 1996 when Hapee Toothpaste claimed the feat.
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