Gilas overpowers Singapore behind balanced effort

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas flexed just enough muscle to score a 74-57 rout of Singapore for its second straight win in the 5th FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China on Monday.

Paul Lee and Gary David once again led Gilas' scoring effort with 10 points apiece as national coach Chot Reyes had the luxury of fielding all his players.

Just like in their opening win against Chinese Taipei, the Filipinos zoomed to another fast start, this time, dropping a 9-0 opening bomb on hapless Singapore with David scoring five early points. They were never seriously threatened with everyone from Gilas pitching their effort.

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit did not score in 15 minutes of action but it wasn't needed as Lee's fellow reserves Beau Belga and Kevin Alas each had eight while Japeth Aguilar and Garvo Lanete chipped seven apiece. Reyes took advantage of the Gilas' second straight win to rest his regulars as they gear up against Jordan now being handled by former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman on Tuesday.

Jordan has managed to split its first two assignments dropping the opener in an 85-63 stunner at the hands of Gilas' victim Chinese Taipei. Jordan bounced back with a 70-53 trashing of Singapore.