Philippines Drubs Kuwait TWICE!!!

Lebanon? Syria? Kuwait? Questions regarding these Middle Eastern teams will be dealt with in due time.Right now, only one squad from that desert wind-swept region matters: Iran.Even Jordan, which San Miguel-Team Pilipinas faces after Iran and defending champion China in the preliminary round of the FIBA-Asia Men's Championship in Tokushima, Japan next week, will have to await its turn.The Nationals had put away Syria and Lebanon and its star player Fadih El Khatib in topping the Smart 4-Nation Manila Invitational Championship a week ago.And Saturday night at the Caruncho Sports Center in Pasig, SMC-Team Pilipinas handed the Kuwaiti national team a consecutive loss, 100-65, following an 84-68 beating at the Sta. Lucia East Mall gym Friday.
With all pre-war strategies mapped out, and the troops armed and ready for battle, the generals of the Philippine team tasked with sending the country back to the Olympic Games basketball competition after the last one left in 1972 in Munich now buckle down to work on how to get past the Iranians on July 28.The Chinese, possibly reinforced by Team A players after the way they were embarrassed by the Lebanese and the Syrians during the Manila Invitational, come up next for the PBA-backed squad on the 29th, followed by the burly Jordanians, who beat the Nationals in the 29th William Jones Cup tournament, on the 30th.If SMC-Team Pilipinas survives the so-called "Group of Death" and advances to the quarterfinal round, then, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait, assuming they move on from their respective groups, may have to be taken care of.Judging from the way the Nationals carried themselves in their last tune-up game, Kuwait, if it comes up later, shouldn't be much of a problem for RP coach Chot Reyes and his staff.Gabe Norwood led the Nationals, who took a 55-21 lead at the half, with 13 points.Asi Taulava and James Yap had 12 points each, Danny Seigle 11, Mick Pennisi 10, Jayjay Helterbrand 9, Kelly Williams 7, Tony de la Cruz 6, Renren Ritualo 6, Eric Menk 4, Dondon Hontiveros 4, Jimmy Alapag 3, Mark Caguioa 2, Ranidel De Ocampo 1, and Kerby Raymundo 0.Prior to its departure on July 25, SMC-RP takes a break Sunday, returns to practice Monday morning at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and then attends afternoon mass at the San Miguel building.The team meets at Sportskamp at The Fort on Wednesday morning before proceeding to the Centennial Terminal for the afternoon flight to Tokushima.
Source: http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1727/59/

VIVA PILIPINAS!!! GODBLESS