Gilas five outsmarts SMB in biggest win

MANILA, Philippines –  Smart Gilas, showing tremendous patience, discipline and focus, tore to shreds a struggling San Miguel Beer side, 109-68, to preserve a clean slate and seize the solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at The Arena in San Juan last night.

The Nationals worked on a fluid motion game and a resolute defense anchored on 6-foot-11 center Marcus Douthit in dealing the Beermen their worst defeat in 13 years.

Douthit and his teammates dominated the Beermen throughout, keeping huge leads of over 30 points in the fourth quarter of the Phoenix Fuel-sponsored weekend game.

Smart Gilas pulled off the lopsided victory after close wins over Talk n Text, Alaska Milk and Air21, moving the Nationals closer to an outright playoff berth.

The Beermen continued to struggle with new trade recruits and an import replacement, reeling to their third loss against a lone win.

The 41-point loss was San Miguel’s worst since a 61-99 setback at the hands of Alaska in Game Six of the 1998 All-Filipino finals.

David Young didn’t help the SMB cause with only 15 points in his second outing with the team.

Douthit, on the other hand, personally set the tone of the match early in outscoring the entire SMB team, 11-8, in the opening quarter.

The Gilas naturalization prospect lorded it over the boards and put an intimidating presence on defense in a dominant showing which the Beermen just couldn’t contain.

Probably due to frustration, Lordy Tugade, at one point in the second quarter, took a swing at Douthit that triggered an altercation joined in by coaches of the two teams.

Tugade was assessed a technical foul while coaches Ato Agustin and Rajko Toroman were issued a warning.

Smart ran roughshod over SMB in the first half, 44-30, shooting 49 percent from the field and limiting the Beermen to 25 percent.

With Douthit resting, Marcius Lassiter, Mac Baracael and Japeth Aguilar took over and gave the Nationals a 19-point bulge at 38-19.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and Talk n Text clash in a game that could be a big test for each other at the Araneta Coliseum today. Alaska and B-MEG Derby Ace play in the other game.

The Elasto Painters stake their own clean slate while the Tropang Texters press their bid to jack up their stock in the 6:30 p.m. setto.

“This game is our biggest test so far. We have to slow down their transition if we are to have a chance against them,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.