Filipinos snatch victory away from Australia

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33750, 24 January 1975, Page 6

Filipinos snatch victory away from Australia

(By

BOB SCHUMACHER)

■ In an unbelievable, almost fairytale finish, the Philippines scored three points in the last llsec to beat its arch rival, Australia, 89-87, in the opening match of the basketball tournament at Cowles Stadium last evening.

The two-point margin was the same as the result when! the two sides last met. in the 1974 world championships.

At half-time, Australia led 50-46 and it seemed then that its more aggressive defence and height advantage would prove superior to the speed I and agility of the Filipinos. The Philippines players were obvfously weary towards the end of the first half, and with two members not retiring on defence, this allowed Australia several easy scoring opportunities. Renewed strength But the break came at the right time for the Filipinos, and they returned to the court for the second half refreshed, and with renewed strength and drive. Australia was unable to dictate terms but it counteracted each goal by the Philippines, and its six-point advantage at 56-50, and later 60-54, was the biggest difference between the teams at anv stage. With the crowd of about] 1200 shouting encouragement, the Philippines drew level 60-all. Tension mounted as the scoring went goal for goal. Brilliant play Fortunato Co, who had! been responsible for the [ Philippines bridging the gap! by his accurate, long shots, changed the pattern of the match with a brilliant piece] of defensive work, followed, seconds later with him scoring at the other end. Another magnificent effort! —a driving run along the base-line by Romualdo Cabading — suddenly had the; Philippines four points ahead.! Back came Australia: it was 72-all with eight minutes] to go, 80-80 inside the final] five minutes.

Australia went ahead through its 6ft 4in player, Mark Lampshire; Danilio Pirbhdas immediately equalised from a rebound. Although Australia was playing to a better team pattern, the individual talent of William Adornado, the Philippines captain, and Co was proving an embarrassment to the Australians.

Not dominating Australia was not achieving the expected dominance off the backboards, and even the 7ft Andy Campbell was unable to win any tie ball. As time ticked away the stalemate continued. It was 86- with 45sec remaining, and Ken Vurbridge had a great chance with two free shots, but he goaled from only one. and Australia led 87John Maddock became the first Australian to be fouled off, with 12sec remaining. Earlier, the Philippines had lost Alfredo Hubalde and Philip Cezar through fouls. Australia called for time: out but it did not affect the concentration of Adornado, i who made no mistake with his first free throw which tied' scores yet again. To his chagrin, the hardworking Philippines captain: missed his second shot, but it;

was of no consequence as Pirbhdas seized the loose ball and sealed his side’s victory. Australia tried desperately to bring the ball down court, and a valiant throw from its captain, lan Watson, from the half-way bounced off the hoop as the final hooter ! sounded. It was a non-stop, actionpacked match—the best seen in this country. Only in the i opening minutes, when handling was faulty and passing misdirected, did the game not flow. The Philippines had the happy knack of being able to gain possession from the dropped ball, but it found the Australian defence—based on

man-to-man tactics which often led to physical contact —hard to overcome. As a result, the Filipinos were often forced to shoot outside the circle, but Adornado and Co were capable of doing this remarkably well. 1 After the pulsating, fluctuating match between Australia and the Philippines, the New Zealand versus Tahiti fixture was an anti-climax. New Zealand was expected to win comfortably but not even the most ardent supporters could have envisaged a winning margin of 81. Tahiti never stopped trying but it was outclassed in every department. The players, much smaller than their op-

position, used the long pass excessively and not very well. Tahiti attempted to play a zone defence, but against the 6ft Bin New Zealand forwards, Derek Jousra and Stan Hill, it was not a successful tactic.

New Zealand was ahead, 57-14, at half-time and it continued to pile on points in the second half, although there was a short period—when Hill and Bruce .Beard were taking well-earned rests — where the score stayed static. Tahiti has useful players in Georges Malarde and its tallest forward, Honoura Neti (6ft sin), but both were fouled off in the second half.