Playmaker JV Casio best typified the Nationals’ determined drive as he fired a career-best 30 points, 24 of which came in the second half in a game held at the Araneta Coliseum.

Casio finished with an impressive 7-of-9 shooting from the three-point arc in 42 minutes of action that trimmed the Kings’ series lead to 2-1.

Naturalized player Marcus Douthit also got his usual numbers as he produced another double-double – 25 points and 14 rebounds – with five shot blocks as Smart-Gilas trimmed Ginebra’s lead in the five-game series, 1-2.

Game 4 is set Sunday also at the Big Dome with the Nationals hoping to extend the series to the full route.

“It’s not like that our team is young team and they don’t have PBA experience,” RP team Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman said. “In Game 3 they showed that they have the skills, the character and heart to win.”

Casio had 14 points in the third period, while Douthit, Baracael and Marcio Lassiter had six points each as the Nationals started to pull away. They tallied 35 points in that quarter that turned a 39-49 halftime deficit to 74-67 advantage entering the final frame.

The Kings won the first two games, 97-96, and 110-103, with import Nate Brumfield averaging 38 points. In Game 3, he got 30 markers and 13 rebounds but was held to 9-of-18 shooting from the field.

Actually, it wasn’t just Casio and Douthit who delivered for the Nationals as forwards Aldrech Ramos and Japeth Aguilar came through with solid contributions, with the former collecting 15 points and seven boards, and the latter netting 10 markers and three blocks.

The national team’s defense also was key in its victory, holding Ginebra to 29-of-88 (33%) shooting from the field.

“We know the next game will be more difficult but we’ll be there fighting to stay alive,” said Toroman, adding that win or lose, he is proud of his team in its accomplishment of making it to the Final Four of the PBA.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin