LA Tenorio was the smallest man on court when Philippines’
Smart Gilas battled the US team during the final day of Jones Cup 2012
competition. And it was the most important game for Smart Gilas on the
tournament yet, with a 6-1 record, wherein they are hoping to secure the gold
medal by upsetting the Americans to avoid a tie three-way tie at 6-2. And yet,
the smallest man made the biggest shots when they mattered most.
LA Tenorio helped Smart Gilas to crawl their way back into
the game after being behind for most part of the game. At one point, the lead
was as high as 15 points. However, the Philippine Smart Gilas team kept banging
on every opportunity to get back.
It wasn’t easy though since James Justice’s hot hand kept
pouring in the shots from outside the arc to fend off any comeback attempt late
in the third quarter and early in the fourth. After LA Tenorio scored five to
kick off the fourth quarter, then followed by Gabe Norwood’s own, the
Philippine team’s goal to tie or even lead the Americans was now within reach.
A few heroic shots after (mostly from Tenorio), thanks to
the high pick set by center Marcus Douthit, Smart Gilas finally snagged the
lead. The lead was short-lived, though, as the Americans were quick to follow it
up with a shot of their own, thanks to James Justice again.
Crucial defensive plays came at the dying seconds of the
final two minutes and at the opposing offensive thrust, Jeff Chan was fouled
and forced to go to the free throw line. At this point, the Smart Gilas
Philippine team was up by just one. Chan had to convert two of the most
important free throws of the game yet. When he missed the first, Coach Chot
Reyes instructed him to miss the second shot with only a few seconds left in
the game. Filipino fans at the stadium had to hold their breath as the US team
attempt to take a game-winning shot with roughly 2 seconds left in the game
following the sideline inbound. When the ball hit the rim but failed to go in,
the members of the Smart Gilas team jumped at the center of the court as fans
also jumped in jubilation from the stands.
This was the first time in 14 years that the Philippine team
won a gold medal in the William Jones Cup tournament. And the fans, as well as
the team, couldn’t have been more proud of this one as no one expected them to
win it all (not especially against a US team)!
You can watch the final 3 minutes of the game here:
Congrats Smart Gilas Team 2012! Thank you for making the Filipinos
proud!
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