black_thorne2001
04-15-2007, 12:02 AM
SMB-RP STUNS LONG BEACH STATE
Caguioa, Seigle & Alapag star in Nationals’ final US tune-up game
CARSON CITY, CA – Mark Caguioa scored 23 points and Danny Seigle added 21 Friday as RP-San Miguel wrapped up its two-week training in the States by shocking the Long Beach State 49ers, a US NCAA Division I school, 93-89, at the Home Depot Center.
Caguioa and Seigle carried the brunt of the Nationals' second half comeback from double-digit deficits against the bigger, faster 49ers, but it was dervish of a point guard Jimmy Alapag who brought the rally to a heart-stopping climax.
Alapag tied the game 89-all with a three-point shot and Seigle hit two free throws with 20 seconds remaining, following a Long Beach miss, to give RP-San Miguel a 91-89 lead.
Long Beach called time to diagram an offense designed, as it turned out, for a zone. But national coach Chot Reyes switched to a man-to-man and the 49ers' star Kevin Houston, a second team All-American, was unable to attack the defense on isolation.
A hurried shot and an ensuing baseline turnover gave possession to the Nationals and Alapag, fouled with four seconds left, sank two free throws to ice the game.
Asi Taulava contributed 15 points, Renren Ritualo 14, Alapag 9, Mick Pennisi 6, Kerby Raymundo 3, and Dondon Hontiveros 2 for the Nationals who missed the services of Ranidel de Ocampo who had flown back to Manila earlier to attend to his college graduation.
RP-San Miguel trailed 12-25 in the first quarter, 34-48 at the half and 64-70 after three quarters before turning hot.
"This game showed our resilience. We simply would not quit," said Reyes. "They constantly talked about pride in the huddles, especially when they were down."
The win, Reyes said, also justified Ritualo's inclusion in the team.
"He gets us back into games quickly. The key is his acceptance of his role. He may be the last person off the bench, but he doesn't allow this to bother him."
Reyes said the three basic objectives for the FIBA Asia-bound national team's going to Carson City – one, to get top-caliber conditioning and skills training; two, know each other more personally and connect and bond more cohesively; and three, play against high quality competition – were all met.
"We still have quite a ways to go before being in top shape for the FIBA qualifiers in July, but I am confident we are moving in the right direction," Reyes said.
Long Beach went up early, 15-4, using its size and speed to the hilt.
"They ran well, shot from deep, and rebounded relentlessly," Reyes reported. "But the most impressive thing was their defense – we could not break anyone down off the dribble, forcing us to shorten our rotation by shuffling guys in and out faster than normal."
Caguioa and Seigle then found their range to bring down a 48-34 Long Beach lead to six points going to the fourth quarter.
There Ritualo took over, gunning down three consecutive 3-pointers to set up the nerve-fraying finish.
The Nationals are expected to be back in the Manila Sunday.
Caguioa, Seigle & Alapag star in Nationals’ final US tune-up game
CARSON CITY, CA – Mark Caguioa scored 23 points and Danny Seigle added 21 Friday as RP-San Miguel wrapped up its two-week training in the States by shocking the Long Beach State 49ers, a US NCAA Division I school, 93-89, at the Home Depot Center.
Caguioa and Seigle carried the brunt of the Nationals' second half comeback from double-digit deficits against the bigger, faster 49ers, but it was dervish of a point guard Jimmy Alapag who brought the rally to a heart-stopping climax.
Alapag tied the game 89-all with a three-point shot and Seigle hit two free throws with 20 seconds remaining, following a Long Beach miss, to give RP-San Miguel a 91-89 lead.
Long Beach called time to diagram an offense designed, as it turned out, for a zone. But national coach Chot Reyes switched to a man-to-man and the 49ers' star Kevin Houston, a second team All-American, was unable to attack the defense on isolation.
A hurried shot and an ensuing baseline turnover gave possession to the Nationals and Alapag, fouled with four seconds left, sank two free throws to ice the game.
Asi Taulava contributed 15 points, Renren Ritualo 14, Alapag 9, Mick Pennisi 6, Kerby Raymundo 3, and Dondon Hontiveros 2 for the Nationals who missed the services of Ranidel de Ocampo who had flown back to Manila earlier to attend to his college graduation.
RP-San Miguel trailed 12-25 in the first quarter, 34-48 at the half and 64-70 after three quarters before turning hot.
"This game showed our resilience. We simply would not quit," said Reyes. "They constantly talked about pride in the huddles, especially when they were down."
The win, Reyes said, also justified Ritualo's inclusion in the team.
"He gets us back into games quickly. The key is his acceptance of his role. He may be the last person off the bench, but he doesn't allow this to bother him."
Reyes said the three basic objectives for the FIBA Asia-bound national team's going to Carson City – one, to get top-caliber conditioning and skills training; two, know each other more personally and connect and bond more cohesively; and three, play against high quality competition – were all met.
"We still have quite a ways to go before being in top shape for the FIBA qualifiers in July, but I am confident we are moving in the right direction," Reyes said.
Long Beach went up early, 15-4, using its size and speed to the hilt.
"They ran well, shot from deep, and rebounded relentlessly," Reyes reported. "But the most impressive thing was their defense – we could not break anyone down off the dribble, forcing us to shorten our rotation by shuffling guys in and out faster than normal."
Caguioa and Seigle then found their range to bring down a 48-34 Long Beach lead to six points going to the fourth quarter.
There Ritualo took over, gunning down three consecutive 3-pointers to set up the nerve-fraying finish.
The Nationals are expected to be back in the Manila Sunday.