PBA All Stars Defeat Team Pilipinas

For coach Yeng Guiao, his Powerade Team Pilipinas learned a lot more in one loss they suffered Sunday night than in four games they had won earlier.

"We're just learning the deeper character of the players that we have. The true test of character is in adversity. We need adversity to test the players' character. And I'm happy with what I've seen," said Guiao.

The RP mentor had this remark moments after the Nationals were beaten by the reinforced PBA All Stars, 89-97, in the climax of the 2009 Motolite PBA All Star Week at the Araneta Coliseum.

The All Stars sent the Nationals' streak to a screeching halt after the RP squad swept its two-game goodwill series versus an Australian selection then won the first two games of the 2009 All Star festivities.

PBA All-Star coach Chot Reyes, mentor of the RP team that placed ninth in the 2007 FIBA Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan, himself was impressed with what he has seen with Guiao's team.

"I'm grading them very high, about 85 to 90 percent. I gave them a high mark as they play very hard, tough on defense and show excellent teamwork," said Reyes.

"No question, this team has a lot of athletic players. With their athletic ability, if the wingmen hit the outside shots, they will be very, very strong. It will be a fantastic team," Reyes added.

Reyes maximized the use of imports David Noel, Gabe Freeman, Anthony Johnson and Jai Lewis as the All Stars foiled the Nationals' bid to complete a sweep of the three-game series backed by Powerade, Coca-Cola, Nike, Accel and Phoenix Fuel.

Noel, the Ginebra import, had a great night, topping the slam dunk contest then leading the All Stars to their eight-point conquest of the Nationals.

The former North Carolina Tar Heel churned out 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in a solid 26-minute outing. He was later named the game's MVP.

"It was a tough game and we're lucky we had four imports on our side. This is a learning process for the RP team and we came out to contribute something to them. We played a game this team would encounter in the international competition," said Reyes.

"It was a loss which can be useful for us. We could have fall into a false sense of security had we won the game," said Guiao, on the other hand. "Despite the loss, I'm still very positive with the progress of the team."

As in their initial outings, the Nationals played a balanced offensive game with Arwind Santos topscoring with 18 and James Yap, Mick Pennisi and Willie Miller adding at least 11 each.

Kelly Williams missed the game as he's down with an ailment.

Ranged against the starters of the North and South All Stars reinforced by four imports, the Nationals put up a tough stand, engaging their rivals in 10 dead locks and 11 lead changes.

They were ahead by five at 83-78 but were outmaneuvered by the All Stars in the homestretch.

Noel tossed in nine of his 18 points in the final quarter, capping his exploits with a personal five-point binge that gave the All Stars a 94-86 lead with 2:46 left to play. (NC)

The scores:
PBA All Stars Selection 97 - Noel 18, Washington 15, Freeman 12, Alapag 12, Johnson 10, Lewis 8, Cardona 6, Artadi 5, Pena 4, Menk 4, Villanueva 3, Hontiveros 0.

Powerade Team Pilipinas 89 - Santos 18, Yap 13, Pennisi 13, Miller 11, De Ocampo 8, Raymundo 7, Dillenger 5, Norwood 4, Taulava 4, Helterbrand 3, Thoss 2, Baguio 1, Reyes O.

Quarterscores: 24-23, 46-46, 71-71, 97-89