DONDON HONTIVEROS groped all game on Saturday night but his two-point output against Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia at the start of Smart Gilas-Pilipinas’ campaign in the 22nd International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia Champions Cup could not discourage head coach Rajko Toroman.
“Dondon is a good player and although he missed most of his shots, he will pick up his game as the tournament progresses,” said Toroman, who picked Hontiveros for the shooting guard position in place of James Yap who begged off from joining the national team.
The Cebuano hotshot from Air21 missed all but one of his 11 field goals in Smart Gilas’s 101-69 Group victory over the Saudi Arabian club at the PhilSports Arena.
Hontiveros logged in 20 minutes but failed to get his offensive rhythm going. He attempted only once from the three-point zone and missed.
“The real Dondon will come out in the next games of the team. He’s just practicing with us for more than a month,” explained Toroman.
Asi Taulava, the other pro on the young Gilas squad, made up for his anemic defense with his seven rebounds, numbers that also still kept Toroman in his senses. Taulava played for 14 minutes, made just one field-goal attempt and also missed.
“Asi and Dondon will get there,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim. “Overall, it was a big win for us as it gave the confidence we need in our coming games.”
Smart Gilas played the KL Dragons of Malaysia on Sunday night.
Hontiveros’s anemic shooting was overshadowed by the team’s terrific offense as Smart Gilas shot 61 percent from the field (43-of-70) led by Japeth Aguilar’s near perfect game.
The six-foot-nine Aguilar finally came out of his shell after a so-so performance in Smart Gilas’s previous international tournaments as he led the PHL 5 in scoring for the first time in a long while with 20 points, making 10 of his 11 attempts including a pair of thuderous dunks.
“I have to be satisfied with our first game because shot more than 60 percent from the field and we had 12 players in rotation. But we have to improve as a team,” said Toroman, who wards will have a rest day Monday before Iraq’s Duhok on June 1 and ASU of Jordan the following day.
Smart Gilas is eyeing to top Group A after the prelimination round to face a lighter opponent in the crossover knockout quarterfinal stage. --JOEL ORELLANA
IN PHOTO -- DONDON HONTIVEROS still has Rajko Toroman’s trust and confidence.
