Gilas Cadets smother Singapore to stay perfect

Jio Jalalon led the Gilas Cadets to an 81-59 win over Singapore to notch the Philippines’ second win in the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup Tuesday afternoon at the Stadium 29 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Jalalon displayed great efficiency all game long in dropping 17 points on 8 for 12 shooting from the field and grabbed four rebounds in just 21 minutes of game time. Backcourtmates Almond Vosotros and Mike Tolomia complemented the Arellano University guard with 14 markers and 12 markers respectively.

Vosotros gained the hot hand early in the game in scoring seven points in the first quarter alone. A triple by Tolomia capped a spectacular quarter for the Philippines in gaining a 27-14 lead.

The Gilas Cadets though struggled from the field and with turnovers in the second frame. Big men Troy Rosario and Raymar Jose had a hard time connecting from the field as the Philippines scored just 14 points in the quarter. Still the Cadets still held a 41-29 lead entering halftime.

Singapore converted on their first three field goals early in the third canto in cutting the Philippine lead to just seven, 41-34. Unfortunately for the Singaporeans, the Philippines locked down on defense and limited their opponents to just seven points the rest of the way to extend the lead once more to 59-41.

Behind Delvin Goh and John Ng, the Singaporeans went on a 9-0 rally in the first three minutes of the final frame to cut the lead to nine, 59-50. Jalalon, with his team struggling, took matters into his own hands in scoring six straight baskets. Vosotros then followed suit as the Cadets outscored their opponents 18-12 in the quarter for an 81-59 win.

TNT Rookie Rosario was limited to just four points in the game but was able to grab nine boards. Raymar Jose was able to set-off Rosario’s off night with eight points and nine boards.

The Gilas Cadets (2-0) will next face Indonesia tomorrow, May 25 at 4:00pm.

The Scores:

Philippines (81) – Jalalon 17, Vosotros 14, Tolomia 12, Jose 8, Pogoy 6, Escoto 5, Belo 5, Rosario 4, Holmqvist 4, Ferrer 3, Pessumal 3, Tibayan 0.

Singapore (59) – Goh 17, Ng 12, Kwek 9, Lim S. 9, Toh 4, Tan 2, Chia 2, Lim Y. 2, Tay 2, Low 0, Tang 0.

Quarterscores: 27-14, 41-29, 59-41, 81-59.

Photo from MThai/Stankovic