Filipino Expats Qatar

Pinoys crush Aussies in final

Inquirer
Last updated 05:54am (Mla time) 08/28/2006

Published on page A31 of the August 28, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN -- Danny Seigle was perfect from the field last night, shooting 25 points as the San Miguel-RP Team demolished the Darwin All-Stars, 96-65, to win the 6th Shell Rimula Brunei championship.

Seigle was named the tournament Most Valuable Player despite averaging less than 20 minutes of playing time.

“I told the boys to treat this game as if it were our last (as a national team),” San Miguel-RP Team coach Chot Reyes told the Inquirer in an overseas call.

“This (championship), like our past accomplishment (against Lebanon), brings with it mixed emotions,” Reyes continued. “It’s a pity because we really do not know whether we will play in another tournament again.”

The Philippines continues to be suspended from playing internationally pending the result of a crucial FIBA meeting in Japan.

The Filipinos, who won this tournament for the second straight year, made the title game after disposing of a rough-playing Saudi Arabia side, 79-48, Saturday night at the National Indoor Stadium here.

Dondon Hontiveros had welts all over while Dennis Miranda, Olsen Racela and Niño Canaleta suffered bruises like kids bullied in a playground.

Even Asi Taulava, Mark Telan, Dorian Peña and Seigle weren’t spared as they got bumped, hacked and smacked in frustration by their outclassed rivals.

“The other team wasn’t even concerned about playing basketball. They just want to throw their bodies at us and play it rough,” said coach Reyes after the Filipinos arranged a title showdown with the Darwin All-Stars.

The Australians, seeded third in the semifinals, stunned the SK Knights, 90-83, in the other semifinal game.

“They got pissed off because they couldn’t score,” said Reyes. “There was even a time in the third quarter that we’re getting drawn into that situation.”

The Filipinos raced to a 23-9 advantage with Taulava and Peña lording it over in the lane and Renren Ritualo and Seigle draining their three-pointers.

Mark Telan then came up with eight points in a 16-1 tear. June Navarro

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