Japan - Japan hands RP team 2nd straight loss

From www.asianjournal.com
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Lightning struck the San Miguel-Pilipinas national quintet a second time Wednesday night in the 29th William Jones Cup International basketball tournament here.

A day after losing to Lebanon on a buzzer-beating shot, the Nationals suffered another meltdown in an 86-84 loss to unfancied Japan Wednesday.

A fastbreak layup by Yusuke Okada with a second left following a Japan interception off a Dondon Hontiveros pass doomed the Filipinos, who led by 12 points twice, the last at 68-56 late in the third quarter.

"Natataranta (they still get rattled)," said national coach Chot Reyes. "I don't know why we can't execute and close out the game."

"We played very well in the first 39 minutes. Unfortunately, this is a 40-minute game. It's my fault because I should be able to get good shots for my players."

Ironically, it was Hontiveros who also figured in the decisive play that led to the RP downfall a night earlier.

Against Lebanon, Hontiveros opted to go for a wide-open shot early instead of running out the clock some more.

After he missed, Lebanon came up with a desperation three-pointer from Roy Fahed at the buzzer to win, 65-62.

Inspired by their great escape, the Lebanese seized the early solo lead by thumping Kazakhstan, 90-77, for their third straight victory.

Qatar somehow eased RP's worry about the strength of Iran by nipping the 2006 Asian Games bronze medalist, 74-72.

The Iranians, bracketed with the Filipinos in the FIBA-Asia championship along with Jordan and defending champion China, absorbed a second loss in three games.

Now also at 1-2 are Qatar, the Philippines, Japan and Kazakhstan.

The unexpected RP collapse ruined a sizzling offensive show off the bench by Renren Ritualo.

Ritualo, benched in RP's opening win against the US and rested against Lebanon, finished with seven triples for 21 points to help RP assume its first 12-point lead at 43-31.

Then a 10-2 run capped by Gabe Norwood's triple restored the margin at 68-56 in the third period, but the Japanese just wouldn't go away.

Shohei Kikuchi, a southpaw deadshot who led all scorers with 27 points, scored on a drive then added a three-pointer as Japan tied it at 84-84 with eight seconds left.

After an RP timeout, Hontiveros received the throw-in but the Jpanese defense anticipated his pass to JJ Helterbrand and then struck with the winning basket.

The Japanese used only six men and fielded another man only when Yosuk Machida fouled out. Reyes, on the other hand, rested Mick Pennisi, saying he found no need for him in the match.

The Filipinos, who are using this event as a buildup for the FIBA-Asia championship, next play the Koreans at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The scores:

JAPAN 86 -- Kikuchi 27, Onishi 23, Okada18, Machida 12, Ishezaki 4, Inoue 2, Shonaka 0.

RP 84 -- Ritualo 21, Hontiveros 11, Helterbrand 10, Williams 8, Taulava 8, Raymundo 8, Yap 5, Norwood 5, Caguioa 5, Alapag 2, Menk 1.

Quarters: 25-25, 44-50, 60-71, 86-84