Smart-Gilas Pilipinas bounced back from a stinging loss to Egypt by thumping Sharjah Club-United Arab Emirates, 92-67, in the 22nd Dubai International Basketball tournament Saturday at the Al Ahli Club Gym. Import Marcus Douthit and Marcio Lassiter led the second half breakaway for the Filipinos, firing 17 points each as Smart Gilas rebounded from a 72-85 defeat to a tall Egyptian team.
The 6-foot-10 Douthit, who only needs the signature of President Aquino for his naturalization, also had 17 rebounds to complete a double-double job while skipper Chris Tiu pumped in 10 points and hauled down seven rebounds for the Filipinos, who improved to 2-1 in Group B.
Egypt leads the group with 2-0, while Anibal-Lebanon and Al Wahda-Syria are in joint third. Sharjah Club-UAE remained winless after three games.
After a close first quarter, the Filipinos began to pull away in the second quarter, leading by as many as 11 (44-33) at the half before closing the third period sitting comfortably on a 68-50 lead.
UAE tried to turn things around in the fourth but the Filipinos quelled the rally with sizzling runs of their own.
Former UAAP MVP and University of Santo Tomas standout Dylan Ababou added 13 points while JV Casio had nine points on top of eight rebounds.
Smart-Gilas, which beat Anibal Lebanon 70-57, will take a breather today before facing Al Wahda-Syria on Tuesday.
Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin
