The nationals started off very gamely, with forward Japeth Aguilar finishing with a thunderous jam early in the 1st quarter. They would stick close for most of the period, before the NBA players closed off the first quarter with a 6-0 run to break the game wide open, 28-16.
The SMART All-Stars would lead by as much 21 points in the game, as they were able to get into transition often in the 3rd quarter. However, their chase for the highlight plays that the fans asked for proved to be the cause for a small collapse, allowing SMART-Gilas to get as close as eight points, 92-84, with 2:30 to go in the game.
Despite SMART-Gilas coach Rajko Toroman’s assertions that they wanted to win, he waved the proverbial white flag soon after that as he pulled Marcus Douthit from the game in favor of rarely-used Jason Ballesteros in the closing minutes. The naturalized center had energized the team in the fourth quarter with several big plays, including a huge putback dunk off of a missed Marcio Lassiter three-pointer.
The game was considerably chippier than the SMART All-Stars matchup with the PBA selection on Saturday night, with SMART-Gilas committing several hard fouls on their American guests.
NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant, in particular, was introduced to the hard hits of veteran Asi Taulava and looked visibly frustrated for the first time in the two games. Dondon Hontiveros also played Bryant physically in the fourth quarter, although the SMART All-Stars playing coach seemed to take it in stride, flashing a good-natured smile afterwards.
But the game was not without its lighter moments, as the NBA stars obviously wanted to please the crowd. Egged on by the enthusiastic crowd after the ball was stuck between the backboard and the shot clock, JaVale McGee attempted to tip it off himself instead of waiting for the arena staff to poke it off with a stick.
As awestruck as the Filipino fans were of their NBA idols, they went completely bonkers when pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao made his entrance early in the fourth quarter. He would visit the NBA stars during a timeout and spent time conversing with Bryant and the rest of the team before play resumed.
When asked how many rounds he could go with Pacquiao, Paul answered, “15 seconds?”
The crowd was only too happy to respond, raining down cheers of “C-P-3! C-P-3!” for the New Orleans guard. Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose received similar treatment as the crowd chanted “M-V-P! M-V-P!” as he took a pair of free throws in the fourth quarter, but he disappointed his fans by missing missed shots. But the loudest cheers — at least for basketball players — were reserved for Bryant himself, as the crowd pleaded for him to put himself back into the game.
The oddest chant, though, occurred with fouor minutes to go in the game and the All-Stars leading 90-80. Perhaps praying for a miracle upset, the crowd erupted into familiar chants of “defense” as they cheered the effort of the hard-charging home team.
There were also a lot of dunks, on both sides. Douthit, Aguilar and Kelly Williams all showed off their athleticism for SMART-Gilas as did Tyreke Evans, James Harden and the rest of the SMART-All-Stars.
McGee, who scored 25 points against the undersized PBA selection the night before, was held to just 16, including just three in the first half as he was defended by the 6-11 Douthit. Bryant and Durant combined to score 21 points in the first half, when they pulled away from their local counterparts.
Jayvee Casio scored 16 points for SMART-Gilas, Douthit scored 14 points and Chris Lutz added 12. Hontiveros hit three shots from beyond the arc and finished with 11 of his own. He would later have the privilege of receiving Bryant’s jersey as he made an exchange with the NBA superstar.
The stars of the National Basketball Association (NBA) will leave the Philippines with a 2-0 win-loss record against a PBA selection and the Smart Gilas Pilipinas, but not before the national team gave them a scare in their 2nd exhibition game.
The Kobe Bryant-led NBA stars hammered out a close 98-89 victory over Smart Gilas.
Smart Gilas went down in the 1st half and early in the 2nd half, but came roaring back with a strong 4th quarter run.
JV Casio sparked the national team's 4th quarter run as he scored 11 points in the period.
Smart Gilas, however, ran out of time and were unable to catch-up to the NBA stars.
Naturalized center Marcus Douthit brought Gilas within 10 points with a monster put-back slam with 4:36 remaining.
NBA rookie Derrick Williams then scored on a circus lay-up to push the lead back to 12, but Marcio Lassiter made 2 charities to once again bring the lead down to 10.
Derek Fisher later made 2 free throws, and JaVale McGee and Williams put on a dunking exhibition to end the game for the NBA stars.
The 2nd exhibition game against Gilas was more competitive than the one the NBA stars played against the PBA All-Stars, as the national team showed impressive teamwork, especially in the latter parts of the ball game.
"This team is prepared, they run plays," said Chris Paul during a break in the 4th quarter. "They're really good."
The NBA stars had led by as much as 22 points, early in the 3rd quarter.
By the 3rd period, it was clear that the visitors were taking the nationals seriously, as Bryant and Kevin Durant were seen posting up against their smaller defenders instead of settling for jumpshots.
Gilas was able to bring the lead down to 14 points after Hontiveros made a trifecta, 74-60. Fisher hit a 3-pointer, however, and McGee scored on an alley-oop to put the NBA stars back up by 19, 79-60, going into the last period.
In the 1st half, the NBA stars were able to establish an early lead as they waxed hot from the perimeter.
Bryant had 7 straight points for the NBA stars early in the 1st quarter, and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings ended the opening period with 4 straight points to put his team up 28-16.
The 2nd quarter saw Hontiveros drill back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 8, 34-26.
A few possessions later, Marco Lassiter swished in a trifecta of his own and the lead was down to 7, 38-31.
The NBA stars later came back with a vengeance. McGee sparked a 7-0 run with an alley-oop jam off a feed from Bryant.
Evans once again ended the quarter strong for the NBA stars, as his lay-up beat the halftime buzzer.
Smart Gilas was down 55-37 going into the halftime break.
Nonetheless, the national team was determined to come back in the 2nd half and just came short of pulling a tremendous upset.
"It's been a tremendous honor for all of us to play in front of you wonderful fans," Bryant said after the game.
Highlights
Although the 2nd exhibition game was a low-scoring affair, it had its share of highlights.
It was the national team's Japeth Aguilar who got the highlight reel rolling with a two-handed posterization of Durant that brought the Filipino fans to their feet.
Durant, however, countered a few possessions later with a put-back slam of his own.
Harden and Evans also got into the high-fly act with breakaway dunks, and McGee would once again wow the crowd with numerous jams throughout the game.
After the game, the NBA stars gave the fans one more treat as they gave away their shoes to the crowd.
They also assured the Filipinos that they would be willing to come back to the Philippines for another game.
"I'm looking forward to coming back," said Durant.
"I love you, I can't wait until the next time I get back here," Bryant added.
Spotted celebrities includes Willie Revillame and Aga Muhlach who seated near Manny Pangilinan. Manny Pacquiao arrived 10 minutes remaining in the 4th Quarter.
The Scores:
NBA All-Stars (98) — Bryant 17, McGee 16, Durant 16, Harden 15, Evans 9, Williams 8, Rose 6, Paul 6, Fisher 3.
SMART Gilas (89) — Casio 16, Douthit 14, Lutz 12, Hontiveros 11, Lassiter 9, Tiu 8, J.Aguilar 6, K.Williams 4, Ababou 4, Alapag 3, Baracael 2, Barroca 0, Taulava 0, Ballesteros 0.
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