By WAYLON GALVEZ

Barangay Ginebra hardly missed it two key players as it streaked to its third straight win by beating the Smart-Gilas national team, 100-72, in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Ronald Tubid scored 22 points, including 10 in the torrid third quarter when the Kings unleashed a 17-4 attack that shattered a 47-47 deadlock and gave them a 64-51 advantage with 4:43 left in the period.

In that run, the 6-foot-2 Tubid scored nine points highlighted by a two three-pointers to put Ginebra, which played minus Eric Menk (fractured right pinky toe) and Mark Caguioa (strained right knee), ahead for good.

Ginebra also got 15 points from reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jayjay Helterbrand, while two other players produced double-double figures with JC Intal making 11 points and 10 rebounds and Rico Villanueva adding 11 points and 11 boards.

Willy Wilson also had eight and 10 boards to underscore Ginebra’s depth.

“We know that Mark and Eric are not there, we’ve got to find ways to fill the spots in the next few weeks,” Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico said. “It’s good now we started healthy, hopefully they’ll get healthy soon.”

The win gave the Kings the early lead with a 3-0 win-loss card, while keeping the Nationals winless in the tournament.

Gilas also played without two of its mainstays, American import CJ Giles, who was in street clothes after he was excused to play by Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman to deal with personal problems, and injured Chris Tiu (left quadriceps).

Uichico said that it could have been different story if the 6-foot-10 Giles had played.

“Siyempre malaking bagay na wala iyong import,” Uichico said. “They’ve got a fluid offense and they’ve got shooters. All they need is experience and the physicality.”

“They’re so young, that’s right idea. Playing together and grow as a team. They can have teamwork. We need to really naturalize, it makes the game easier if we have a big guy,” he added.

The scores:
First Game
Ginebra 100 — Tubid 22, Helterbrand 15, Intal 11, Vilanueva 11, Wilson 8, Cruz 6, Mamaril 6, Baguio 6, Salvacion 6, Kramer 4, Alvarez 3, White 2.
Smart-Gilas 72 — Barroca 20, Al Hussaini 14, Casio 11, Barracael 9, Aguilar 7, Ramos 4, Jazul 3, Cawaling 2, Ballesteros 2, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 22-17, 43-38, 70-58, 100-72.

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This may be a loss but I see it as a another learning experience for Smart Gilas.

COACHES are divided in their opinion on American CJ Giles playing for Smart Gilas in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup in October. Sta. Lucia’s Boyet Fernandez and Rain or Shine’s Caloy Garcia said Smart Gilas would have undue advantage with Giles around. Giles remains an American until after he is naturalized for him to be able to suit up for the national team.

“Helping the national team is fine with me,” Fernandez told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “But having an import, huwag na siguro. May bearing kasi, mahirap talaga kapag may import ang kalaban.”

Smart Gilas would be considered a regular team in the Philippine Cup, an all-Filipino conference. That means the national developmental team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) could bring home the trophy if they top the tournament.

“Puwede sigurong sumali si Giles kapag may import na sa second conference,” added Fernandez, referring to the Fiesta Cup.

Garcia echoed Fernandez’s opinion and stressed Giles should only suit up in the Fiesta Cup.

But Siot Tanquingcen of San Miguel Beer and Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra see it otherwise.

“For me, okay lang. The more you increase the level of competition, the better it is for the teams, the league and the fans,” said Tanquingcen.

“I guess, it’s okay to help the country,” Uichico said.

Incoming board chairman Lito Alvarez of Burger King has earlier raised the issue about Giles’s citizenship and said he would ask his fellow governors to decide on it.

Giles, a six-foot-11 forward, is arriving on September 1. SBP has offered him a one-year contract to play for Smart Gilas in the 2011 International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia qualifier.

Written by Joel Orellana

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If CJ Giles is naturalized then i'm all for it. If philippine big men want to improve, then they should accept this oppurtunity to play against Giles as a challenge.