Smart-Gilas Philippines Named Jones Cup 2012 Champions

Against an American team with superior size advantage, it was the smallest man on the Philippine side who stood tallest.

LA Tenorio delivered the biggest buckets in the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team’s 76-75 victory over USA to bring home the William Jones Cup to the Philippines for the first time since 1998.

The Alaska point guard scored 20 points, including the go-ahead basket with 17 seconds to go to lift SMART-Gilas to the win.

JONES CUP 2012: Smart Gilas Philippines vs Iran Video Replay

Smart Gilas Pilipinas slayed the three-time defending Jones Cup champions Iran , 77-75, in the 2012 William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan on Friday.

“They barely beat us last year and they celebrated too much. It stuck to my head and I won't forget it,” said Marcus Douthit.

The big man starred for the Philippines, getting a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds as Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood added 12 apiece.

Gilas had a comfortable 12-point advantage in the fourth before the Iranians slowly chipped away the lead.

“Hindi dapat dikit but we missed two open layups and four free throws,” said National team head coach Chot Reyes.

Jones Cup 2012: Philippines vs Chinese Taipei B Video Highlights

2012 William Jones Cup. Philippines defeats Chinese-Taipei B, 99-68

Game Highlights:

-The youngest player of Smart Gilas 2, Garvo Lanete led the team with 21 points

-Larry Fonacier contributed 12 points

-Sonny Thoss also with 12 points

-Marcus Douthit and LA Tenorio both with 11 points

-Another balanced scoring game: 8 players with 5 or more points (5 players in double-digits)

-2nd straight win for Smart Gilas

-No Game on Monday, August 20

-Next Game: vs South Korea on Tuesday, August 21, 3pm