Iran 75 RP 69

The SMC-Philippine Team lost to Iran, 69-75, in its opening match in the Fiba Asia Championships in Tokushima, Japan.

As much as I want to be subtle on my comments here, I just couldn't help it.

The shooting was atrocious at 22 percent, save for late in the fourth quarter when Kerby Raymundo and Mick Penissi went to work. At halftime, it was 3-21 or 14 percent in two-point area and 2-7 or 29 percent beyond the arc.

Wow, the training in the US, tune-up games in Belgrade, the Jones Cup campaign in Taipei and the 4-nation Manila invitationals were not enough to pack our team's ammo.

The mental lapses of coach Chot Reyes and JJ Helterbrand deep in the final canto that spelled doom for the Nationals, throwing away what had been an amazing effort by Raymundo, Penissi and Kelly Williams.

The outcome could have gone the other way also if Kelly Williams and Raymundo converted important free throws.

You don't really need to fast-forward the game tape in the final two minutes game to see how these pricey PBA stars and their over-rated coach lost the game, putting the Philippines on the brink of elimination.

A loss against China tomorrow and the Filipinos kiss their title hopes goodbye. There are no injury updates on Jimmy Alapag, Danny Seigle and Asi Taulava as of posting time.

Consider the starting line-up: the oft-injured Danny Seigle (coming off a long lay-off), Jimmy Alapag, the misfiring and always scrambling Dondon Hontiveros, Asi Taulava and Williams.

Forgive me, Dondon but James Yap deserves a spot on the team over you. You may look determined but your miscues are unforgivable (remember: the Lebanon and Japan losses). James, a PBA MVP, is obviously a better shooter than you are.

I can only speculate as to why you were selected: Is it because you were a San Miguel player and your team needs to be well-represented in the Philippine Team, named after your company? But James is from the sister team, Purefoods. Purefoods, however, is not San Miguel.

Danny Seigle, why do you always have to force your shots? You're no longer in the PBA boy, you're playing international tournament, where one-on-one moves are not the in-thing. That also goes for you Mark Caguioa.

So okay, I don't want to pin down the players anymore. I just hope they do better tomorrow.

As for Chot Reyes, I remain dumbfounded. Why oh why did you have to complain to the official when your team had the momentum and could have made a good defensive stop had it not been for the technical foul. All because you wanted a travelling called on the Iranian.

Hey, those things are beyond your control. You have a strong reason to complain. But hey your team did not need that technical.

Focus on the things that you can control. How your team plays, the decisions your players make and your rotation.

I mean it took Gabe Norwood, Jimmy Alapag, Caguioa and Danny Seigle to leave the game either on fouls or injuries for you to realize that you needed Kelly Williams and Raymundo back on court.

I expect Chot to make another "its a learning process for our team" when the papers come out tomorrow. Actually, Im very excited how our colleagues who are in Tokushima covering the tournament are going to write about the Philippines' latest debacle.

Okay so you have another chance, you and our team Mr. Reyes.

Please don't let the millions spent on your team go down the drain this early. Its supposed to be our coming out party. We're supposed to enjoy this tournament and not rue the missed chance.

Hopefully, I can post something positive after the RP-China match tomorrow.