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National Team Press Release #1:

Pilipinas upsets España: 98-88
Calabria injured – Oton shines
3-point shooting led to España downfall

In what appears to be one of the more stunning upsets in the NT Consolation Tournament, a scrappy Pilipinas squad (57th seed) beat erstwhile favorite España (8th seed), 98-88 – and did so with efficient 3-point shooting from the bench.

29 – year old reserve guard Prudence Oton did not expect to be handed the game ball by coach Lord Woody with a sensational performance against España, logging a game high 27 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 three-pointers, and no turnovers in 30 minutes of action. Oton took to the playing court with starting guard Kidlat Calabria being sidelined after taking an awkward fall. Calabria finished with 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 turnover in 10 minutes of action. Calabria is expected to return next week against Moldova.

Team España simply could not get their rhythm from the 3-point line tonight, finishing the game with an abysmal 11% in the 3-point line (1/9). Team Pilipinas converted 37% of its three-point shots (7/19).

España is expected to bounce back against 79th seed Guatemala, while team Pilipinas is scheduled to play against 91st seed Moldova

Stat lines of the game:

España
Starting shooting guard Francisco Olmo did not log a single point during the game, ending with 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, & 2 turnovers in 35 minutes of action.

Burly forward Edmond Sanchez led team España with an efficient 26 points, but logged only 2 rebounds in 34 minutes of action. He fouled out during the game.

Pilipinas
Starting small forward Dingdong Fornoles finished the game with 0-6 converted three-pointers.

Veteran firebrand Guillermo Peñasales fouled out after 22 minutes of action. He finished the game with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 turnover.

National Team Press Release #2:

Pilipinas crushes Moldova: 123-83
Balanced scoring leads to win

Picking up steam, Team Pilipinas (39th seed) got its second win in the Season 52 Consolation Tournament at the expense of Moldova (91st seed), 123-83 on Monday night.

31-year old Vincent Banico led Team Pilipinas’ balanced attack with a near perfect performance from the field, missing only 1 shot in 11 attempts to log 23 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and no turnovers in 22 minutes of action.

“Our bench did really great today,” Pilipinas coach Lord Woody said after the game. “I want everyone to have the opportunity to take charge and Vincent delivered tonight. We didn’t play him last game (against España), (and) he’s someone who does not shy away from the challenge.”

It was good game for the Pilipinas reserves, who outscored their Moldovan counterparts 67-30. Reserve point guard Tudor Spînu led Moldova with 19 points and 4 rebounds.

Team Pilipinas is poised to maximize its home court advantage and get its third win against 37th seed Canada, while Moldova aims to get its first win in the tournament against 68th seed India.

Stat lines of the game:

- A scrappy Pilipinas defense led to 16 Moldova turnovers. Pilipinas turned the ball over only 5 times
- 8 Pilipinas players scored in double figures
- Pilipinas starter Howell Rios fouled out after seeing 24 minutes of action, 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist

Preview: Pilipinas vs Canada

The Pilipinas Seniors squad faces its first true test this season in 38th seed Canada Monday night.

The Canadians are looking forward to bounce back, having suffered a heartbreaking loss against 32nd seed Uruguay 101-100. They are expected to be led by stars Grigoriy Levin and Abel Paz.

Team Pilipinas is currently ranked 12th in the Consolation Tournament (2-0, +50 point differential), while the Canadians ranked 22nd (1-1, +76 point differential).

Things to watch:

1) Can the Team Pilipinas backcourt force Canada to more turnovers?
So far, point guard Kidlat Calabria is the only backcourt player to record a steal this season. It is crucial that the PIlipinas backcourt force the Canadians to turn the ball over.

The Canadians have been efficient in handling the ball this season, averaging only 4.5 turnover per game.

2) Will Prudence Oton be shooting efficiently?
Guard Prudence Oton needs to be more efficient in scoring, shooting a measly 33% from the field this season. He is more prolific from behind the arc, however, registering a 42% clip in 17 attempts.

Predictions

Point spread (via BB odds): Canada +2.5
Projected final score (via BB odds): 98-92 Pilipinas
My projected final score: 92-88 Pilipinas

NT Press Release

Pilipinas beats Canada, 121-95
Cardino steps up for injured Paspe

Team Pilipinas surprised Canada yesterday with a strong inside game and relentless defense to win, 121-95.

The “Never Say Die” attitude of the Filipinos manifested itself once more: reserve forward Royce Cardino took over for an injured Ramsey Paspe, who had to leave the game early after an awkward fall. The 27 year-old led the team with a double-double, logging 24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover in 39 minutes of action.

This is the second time in the Consolation Tournament that Team Pilipinas relied on its reserves to come up with big wins. “I am very happy I can rely on anyone in the team to step up and deliver (for the Philippines),” Coach Lord Woody said during the post-game conference. He did not comment when asked how he felt winning big against his home country.

Canada’s starters were clearly outmatched by a gritty Filipino squad, shooting only 32% (20/62) from the field and 26% (5/19) from behind the arc. They were also outrebounded (39-51), limited to only 18 assists against 29 by the Filipinos, and failed to register a single block.

Canada’s loss now gives them a win-loss record of 1-2. This puts them now in a situation where they have to win their remaining games to have a chance in making it to the Magic 32. “Our starting players’ performance was so bad yesterday, I thought they were the Ottawa Senators,” said Canada superfan and team benefactor Liam Tremblay. “We should win big against Bulgaria next week.”

Canada is looking to use its home court advantage and get its second win against 46th seed Bulgaria, while the Filipinos are looking to win big against 78th ranked Bolivia.

Stat lines of the game

Team Pilipinas had 3 players with more than 36 minutes of playing time
Only 3 Pilpinas players had a field goal efficiency of less than 50%
Canada channeled its inner Steve Nash, converting 94% of its free throws (32/34)


Last edited by fpanzer10 at 1/12/2021 3:21:00 PM

NT Preview: Pilipinas vs Belgium

In what appears to be their most crucial game in this season’s Consolation Tournament, Team Pilipinas faces a favored Belgian squad on Monday, January 25.

The Filipinos (4-0), led by the Awesome Foursome of Royce Cardino, Vincent Banico, Rojun Ibarreta, and Howell Rios, are expected to use their inside game against the Belgians (3-1), who are led by bigmen Jacques Verreck and Jean-Pierre Turf.

“We noticed the Belgians have an injured player in their roster, so we are hoping to capitalize on that weakness,” NT Coach Lord Woody said during a Zoom interview. “We are known to be the underdog in this upcoming match, we will give our all and show them our puso.”

Keys to the game:

1) Can Team Pilipinas’ big men dominate the paint? – The Nationals’ frontcourt has a lot to prove against the Belgians, especially since Coach Woody gave each player a leash two days after their match against España “so they won’t disappear”

2) Will Howell Rios deliver? – The Pilipinas big man has proven he can step up when it matters after posting a highly efficient game against the Canadians. He was nearly issued an APB, however, against the Spaniards

Predictions:
Via BB-odds: Pilipinas + 14.5
Final Score from BB-odds: 108-94, Belgium
My prediction: 102-99, Belgium

NT Inside Scoop
Paspe bought sneakers for his team, loses game shape

Ramsey Paspe decided to purchase 12 pairs of sneakers from his latest superfan, the God of Kicks to support his local basketball club. Under normal circumstances, this would have been no big deal. But with a crucial game against Belgium, pundits are now asking if this was the right time to do so.

“God of Kicks has an offer to all sneaker buyers: Buy 12 pairs of shoes, and you get to meet the seller in person. I decided to purchase those sneakers for the benefit of my team (Clark Skyforce). Also, there is nothing wrong with meeting your fans and getting to talk to them,” Paspe said during a phone interview.

Since meeting with the God of Kicks, Paspe’s play in his last 3 regular season games regressed, averaging only 7.7 points with an efficiency of 24% from the field (8/32). He was averaging 21 points per game with a 55% efficiency from the field (28/51).

It was noticed that Paspe was tired, especially in his last outing against Burninators. His legs were visibly wobbly, and had to nurse his right hand from time to time.

Team coach The Admiral was not available for comment as of this writing.

Ramsey "Papito" Paspe. Hahahahaha!