Gilas' Mike Tolomia shrugs off jitters to shine brightest in final
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Mike Tolomia could not help but be worried heading into Gilas Pilipinas' gold-medal game against Indonesia in the 29th Southeast Asian Games, even though the Philippines was favored to triumph and rule the event anew.
"Sobrang kinakabahan ako," he told ABS-CBN News when the contest over. "Sabi ko nga kay Raymar Jose, parang kinakabahan ako sa game na 'to."
"Kasi, feeling ko, hindi namin na-dominate ang SEA Games na ito," Tolomia explained. "So 'yun ang kinaka-kaba ko."
Tolomia did have reason to be nervous. The Filipinos labored to a 68-60 win over Singapore in the semifinals on Friday, and they were facing Indonesia – a team they struggled to beat in the finals of the 2015 SEA Games – anew.
For a while, it seemed as though Tolomia's fears were coming true. Indonesia slowed down the game in the first quarter, preventing the Philippines from getting out in transition. Indeed, at the end of the opening frame, Indonesia had more fast-break points (4-0), though the Philippines clung to a 19-15 lead.
The momentum shifted in the Philippines' favor in the second period, however, thanks in large part to Tolomia. The shifty guard began to wax hot from behind the arc, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers that helped the Philippines build a 33-17 advantage.
Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/27/17/sea-games-gilas-mike-tolomia-shrugs-off-jitters-to-shine-brightest-in-final
"Sobrang kinakabahan ako," he told ABS-CBN News when the contest over. "Sabi ko nga kay Raymar Jose, parang kinakabahan ako sa game na 'to."
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| Mike Tolomia's hot shooting helped the Philippines pull away from Indonesia in the gold-medal game in SEA Games basketball in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. PSC/POC pool |
Tolomia did have reason to be nervous. The Filipinos labored to a 68-60 win over Singapore in the semifinals on Friday, and they were facing Indonesia – a team they struggled to beat in the finals of the 2015 SEA Games – anew.
For a while, it seemed as though Tolomia's fears were coming true. Indonesia slowed down the game in the first quarter, preventing the Philippines from getting out in transition. Indeed, at the end of the opening frame, Indonesia had more fast-break points (4-0), though the Philippines clung to a 19-15 lead.
The momentum shifted in the Philippines' favor in the second period, however, thanks in large part to Tolomia. The shifty guard began to wax hot from behind the arc, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers that helped the Philippines build a 33-17 advantage.
Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/27/17/sea-games-gilas-mike-tolomia-shrugs-off-jitters-to-shine-brightest-in-final
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