RP five bows to Serbian 1A powerhouse KK Novi Sad, 88-85

BELGRADE, Serbia — San Miguel-Pilipinas dropped another close game Friday, this time against perennial Serbian 1A powerhouse KK Novi Sad, 88-85, at the Sport Ecko Sportski Centar.

Showing up with six of their regulars and five key additions in their rebuilding program, Novi Sad played without imports, 7-0 center Charles Chris and point guard Jerome Lagarnge.

However, the Nationals were incomplete as well, with Kerby Raymundo sitting out the game due to a bad case of food poisoning.

Compounding matters was the exit of Tony dela Cruz early in the second quarter due to a strained back, leaving SMC-RP with only 10 men to do battle against the taller, heftier Serbians.

But the Nationals put up a gallant stand, controlling the game three-fourths of the way until Danny Seigle fouled out with five minutes left and SMC-RP ahead 77-74.

The Serbs seized the opportunity to string five straight points, capped by a 3-pointer from 6-9 power forward Miroslav Radenkovic that gave the host a 79-77 edge.

Back-to-back offensive fouls against Asi Taulava allowed Novi Sad an 84-80 lead with two minutes remaining.

Following a timeout, Mark Caguioa completed a 3-point play to cut the deficit to one.

A steal in the next play set up Gabe Norwood for a breakaway dunk but he got called for a traveling violation.

Another steal saw Norwood setting up Taulava for an uncontested layup, but the 6-9 center failed to convert and 6-10 Ilija Zolotic hit two free throws with 28 seconds left, 86-83.

Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo missed open 3-pointers down the way.

"Again, a disappointing loss because we had the opportunity to win, but just couldn't finish the job," said RP coach Chot Reyes, who rued the absence of Raymundo, the injury to Dela Cruz and disqualification on fouls of Seigle.

"We had a team meeting this morning about our defense, and the players responded by defending well, only to lose steam in the end," Reyes added.

The scores:

NOVI SAD 88 — Sutalo 27, Tomasevic 15, Radenkovic 14, Zolotic 11, Pap 8, Durasevic 8, Bunic 4, Gogic 1.

SMC-PILIPINAS 85 — Caguioa 20, Seigle 19, Norwood 13, Taulava 10, Hontiveros 8, Helterbrand 6, Penissi 5, Alapag 3, Ritualo 2.

Quarters: 16-18; 33-41; 57-66; 88-85
Source: asia-basket