Gilas Pilipinas Conquers the 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup!

Gilas Pilipinas came back from a fourth quarter deficit and subdued the defending champion SCFA (Southern California Fukienese Association) squad, 81-77, to complete a 5-game sweep of the 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong, China.

Marcus Douthit came to play in the final game, scoring 19 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, getting 4 steals, and blocking 4 shots in a superb all-around effort. He was backstopped by the guard corps of Gary David, Kevin Alas, and Garvo Lanete, all of whom combined for 39 markers. Alas was adjudged tournament MVP after the momentous Gilas win.

Gilas Pilipinas won another championship after conquering
the 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup in Hong Kong.
(image from the Facebook page of Mosh Reyes)

  

A day earlier, Gilas disposed of the Changsha Park Lane Snow Wolves, 90-69, thanks to the 18-point explosion of Air 21 Express stalwart KG Cañaleta. Douthit also did well in that match with 13 points and 8 boards, while Alas registered 10 markers.

The Gilas team, composed mostly of players fresh out of college and from the Philippine cadet pool, returns home as heroes. This raises the spirit and expectations of the basketball-mad Pinoy public, who are raring to get the 2013 FIBA Asia tournament underway after being awarded hosting rights for the first time in four decades.

SCFA failed to defend the title it won last year despite the superb efforts of Trayvonte Britt, Robert Curtis, and Andrew Der. Britt and Der paired up for 33 points, while Curtis finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Kevin Alas was named the MVP of the tournament despite coming off the
bench as the last man in most of the games.
(image by Jan Dizon/Filoil Flying V Sports)

All heart. All Pilipinas.
(image from the Facebook page of Mosh Reyes)

The 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup Day 3: Gilas Devours Malaysia

Gilas Pilipinas swept the competition in the group stage of their campaign in the 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup by handing out a 119-46 beating to the hapless Malaysian team.

Former Ateneo Blue Eagle big man Greg Slaughter returned from a bout with allergies to dump 27 points on the young and inexperienced Malaysians. Slaughter made all but 2 of his 14 field goal attempts in only 23 minutes of play.

Greg Slaughter dominated the smaller Malaysians as
Gilas romped through the group stage.
(image by Philip Sison/Fabilioh.com)

Kevin Alas and RR Garcia also did well, scoring 18 points each to backstop Slaughter’s dominating performance. Alas rounded out his brilliant play with 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Fil-American Justin Melton and super swingman KG Cañaleta scored 14 markers each to further underscore the Pinoys’ supremacy. Nobody scored more than 8 points for the Malaysians.

Gilas advances to the crossover semifinals where they are set to face the dangerous Changsha Park Lane Snow Wolves.

The 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup Day 2: Gilas Destroys Hong Kong

True to form, the Gilas Pilipinas squad ran roughshod over the hosts in Day 2 of the 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup tournament.

Once again, it appeared as if naturalized big man Marcus Douthit was hardly needed, though he did contribute 6 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 22 minutes of action. Instead, it was KG Cañaleta who top-scored for the Pinoys anew, scoring 15 points on the strength of three triples to go along with 8 boards and 2 rejections. He was backstopped by NCAA rivals Kevin Alas and Jake Pascual, who tossed in 14 and 10 markers respectively.

KG Cañaleta continues to impress as part
of Gilas Pilipinas in Hong Kong.
(image by Nuki Sabio/PBA)

The lone bright spot for Hong Kong was 6’5 center Wong Chun Wai, who scored 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. In a peculiar strategy, the Hong Kong cagers actually attempted more shots from beyond the arc than they did from inside the two-point area. Head coach Kwong Wai Cheung’s wards hoisted 42 shots from rainbow country, making just 6.

This win assured coach Chot Reyes and his boys of the top spot in Group A and an automatic semifinal berth. Gilas Pilipinas next plays Indonesia to close out the eliminations.

The 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup: Gilas Dominates Indonesia on Day 1

Smart Gilas opened their redemptive campaign in the 2013 Super Kung Sheung Cup by beating a young and raw Indonesian side, 110-78.

Continuing the hot shooting they showed in Dubai, Garvo Lanete and KG Cañaleta lit up the scoreboard anew for Gilas with 23 and 17 points respectively. Both players hit three triples each to lead the Pinoys in the expected rout of their SEABA rivals. Gary David, Jake Pascual, and Kevin Alas all scored in double-figures to help Team Pilipinas rebound after a disappointing sixth place finish in the recently concluded Dubai International Basketball tourney.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit registered just 2 points and 4 rebounds, but Gilas hardly needed him as the Filipinos were just clearly too good for the Indons.

The battle cry of Team Pilipinas!