GIlas Pilipinas opened its campaign with a 110-58 rout of Singapore, serving notice of its serious intent to destroy its challengers in the Southeast Asian Games Wednesday night at the MOA Arena.
Coach Tim Cone's wards wasted little time asserting themselves against the underdog Singaporeans, unleashing a searing first quarter assault to seize a 30-13 upperhand.
Stanley Pringle, making his first appearance as a local in international play, waxed hot in the first 10 minutes and fired 11 on a 4-of-4 shooting to spark Gilas to its early breakaway.
Just warming up, the Nationals fired more projectiles on their hapless rivals and widened the gap to 23 on a Troy Rosario alley oop off a June Mar Fajardo assist and at halftime, 20 points separated both teams.
With the all-pro hosts on a tear, there was really nothing the Singaporeans could do but play unwilling targets.
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When the carnage ended, the high-powered Filipinos were victorious by a whopping 52 markers.
With 15 points, Troy Rosario led a balanced scoring attack that also saw SEAG debutants
Pringle (14), Vic Manuel (14), and June Mar Fajardo (12) delivering double digit performances.
Chris Ross got the start in his much-awaited maiden appearance for Gilas Pilipinas, ably doing playmaking roles and issuing 10 of their 38 total assists.
Ross' block on Singapore gunner Wei Long Wong at the start also set the tone for the 40-minute demolition job by the merciless home team.
"I think this team will get better, the more time we get together, the more games we play, I think we'll become a better team and we'll be more coordinated with what we do defensively," said Cone.
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"I love the way we started the game when Chris Ross came out and blocked their star player (Wei) Long right on the first possession, that kinda sent the message that we're out here to play defense," he added. (OL) /Photo: Freddie Dionisio (Spin.ph)
