Lebanon defeats Smart Gilas-Team Pilipinas (Stankovic Cup 2010)

Pow Salud August 08, 2010

source: fibaasia.net

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Hosts Lebanon carried too much firepower and left Philippines gasping for breath early in their Group B game to win the clash between two of the most popular basketball nations in the world on Saturday.

Lebanon won 74-59.

Fadi El Khatib returning from an injury lay-off was fielded sporadically, but played without much discomfort, and was as usual obviously a hit among the crowd. But the 31-year-old Lebanese star guard showed enough composure guarding against flamboyance and played well within himself, and more importantly according to coach Tab Baldwin’s offensive plays.

“I’m definitely out of touch, but physically I am back,” El Khatib said.

El Khatib played 13 minutes and scored 4 points, collected 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

“Our goal is a good performance at Turkey (in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, to which Lebanon have earned a wildcard). Therefore, I am positive of getting fully back into form very soon,” he said.

Baldwin too had words of satisfaction, but was realistic in his assessment of the situation.

“We all know Fadi has a great heart as a player, and it definitely showed today. But as was obvious he is yet to get his touch and rhythm,” Baldwin said.

“But considering the fact he is back on court and trying out his best is an encouraging sign for us on our path to Turkey,” he said.

Rony Fahed (red jersey in picture above) led Lebanon’s scoring with a game-high 23 points, scoring 17 of them in the first half to put the hosts in control.

Fahed’s back-to-back three-pointers set the ball rolling early in the game for Lebanon and hosts didn’t have to worry too much after that.

Philippines did attempt a fight back in the third quarter bringing the score to as close as 38-51, but a couple of technical turn-overs turned the tide Lebanese way.

Ali Mahmoud who had a subdued first half came into his own in the second and finished with 12 points.

Joseph Casio with 15 points and Marnel Baracel with 14 points were the leading scorers on the Philippines side. FIBA Asia

The Scores:

Lebanon 74 - Fahed 23, Reda 12, Mahmoud 12, Fakhreddine 7, Vroman 7, Stephan 5, El Khatib 4, Rustom 2, Samaha 2, El Nour 0, Kanaan 0.

Philippines 59 - Casio 15, Baracael 14, Ababou 8, Taulava 7, Barroca 7, Lassiter 6, Tiu 2, Ballesteros 0.

Quarters: 18-11, 31-20, 51-40, 74-59