Nationals down erstwhile unbeaten Japan to make Fiba Asia Championship quarterfinals

Naturalized player Marcus Douthit scored 25 points and got the needed support from Jimmy Alapag and Marcio Lassiter to tow the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas to an 83-76 victory over Japan yesterday in the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

The Nationals logged their third straight win after losing to China last Friday and improved their record to 4-1 (win-loss), the same record with their victims. More importantly, the victory assured the Nationals of a seat in the quarterfinals.

The 6-foot-10 Douthit, who also had 18 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots, combined efforts with Lassiter and Alapag to put up a strong second half performance.

After trailing by as many as eight points in the first half and still staring at a 34-40 deficit at the half, Douthit kicked off his scoring spree in the third, where he finished with a total of 10 points to give the Philippines a 60-52 lead entering the fourth.

Lassiter, who had to sit out the Nationals’ first three games due to eligibility issues,  scored nine in the pivotal third quarter, where the Philippines outscored Japan, 26-12.

Douthit and Alapag finished  off Japan in the fourth, as they took turns pounding the Japanese defense. Alapag, who shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc,  scored 12 in the fourth to help stave off Japan’s attempted  rallies. His three-pointer at the 8:33 mark gave the Philippines an 11-point advantage.

Douthit gave the Nationals their biggest lead at 75-62 in the last 3:50 off two freethrows.

Lassiter and Alapag each had 15 points while Kelly Williams added 12.

Joji Takeuchi led Japan with 22 points and eight rebounds. Japan takes on powerhouse China today.

The Nationals, meanwhile, eye a fifth win when they face Syria at 6 p.m. today. Syria defeated the United Arab Emirates, 80-73, yesterday.