Al Ahli routs PH Gilas in Dubai tourney

THERE WAS no stirring comeback this time around as the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas got routed by the hometown squad Al Ahli, 82-97, in the 24th Dubai International basketball tournament yesterday morning at the Al Ahli club.

The loss was the Gilas’ first in the tournament and it came on the heels of their 79-77 win over Mouttahed of Lebanon, a game in which they came back from 15 points down to emerge victorious.

But unlike their first salvo, it was not meant to be yesterday as head coach Chot Reyes chalked up the loss to the team’s inexperience.

“Yep, the team’s immaturity showed tonight. We couldn’t handle playing versus three ex NBA veterans,” said Reyes on his Twitter account.

Al Ahli boasted of former Knick Cheikh Samb and former NBA D-Leaguers Leroy Hurd and Leemire Goldwire.

Reyes also held himself accountable for the loss as he said that he lost his voice five minutes into the game and couldn’t coach well the rest of the way.

The Nationals end their elimination round campaign against Sporting Amarex of Jordan tomorrow, needing a win to snatch one of the two berths to the next round. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio