MANILA, Philippines — Smart Gilas Pilipinas is only a guest team but the way the Nationals are beating their rivals, the Nationals seem to be the ones giving lessons to professional teams and not the other way around.
Proof of their amazing performance is their 5-0 win-loss record that put them on top of the standings – dwarfing league giant San Miguel Beer which is at the bottom with a 1-5 mark.
If they continue their hot form, the Nationals will become the second guest amateur team to win a PBA crown. The Northern Consolidated Cement team put together by businessman Danding Cojuangco Jr. under coach Ron Jacobs was the first to turn the trick in the 1985 Reinforced Conference.
Their kind of game – mark by fluid ball rotation and solid defense – will be put to test again when they go up against B-Meg Derby Ace in the resumption Wednesday of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is set at 5 p.m. after which Powerade (2-4) and Meralco (1-4) – both coming off impressive wins, clash at 7:30 p.m.
The Bolts finally barged into the win-column after dropping their first four games by downing the B-Meg Llamados – reason why the Nationals are heavily favored against their injury-plagued rivals.
Injuries to key players, including James Yap, have weakened the Llamados in their last three games. Yap remains a doubtful starter.
The Tigers, on the other hand, stunned the slumping San Miguel Beermen, 99-91.
Though everything appears to be on their side, Gilas coach Rajko Toroman refused to take the Llamados lightly, saying: “They are very strong. They have talented and skilled outside and inside players.”(MB)
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