It’s back to the drawing board for Yeng Guiao and his troops, after perennial Asian powerhouse Lebanon handed Powerade Team Pilipinas their fourth loss in 5 games in the 31st William Jones Cup in Taipei, 95-83. NBA journeyman Jackson Vroman and veteran center Brian Beshara flustered the Philippines, scoring 24 and 29 points, respectively, including 38 of the team’s 50 points in the first half.

The twin tower combination came out firing in the first quarter, which ended with a 30-19 lead for Lebanon. The Nationals were kept at bay for most of the second quarter before James Yap strung together 7 quick points to end the half to cut the lead down to 8, 50-42.

The rest of the Filipinos followed suit at the start of the third quarter, making a furious rally that cut the lead down to 2 points. . But Lebanon made good adjustments, finding Fadi El-Khatib and Vroman on offense while pressuring the ball on defense. The third quarter ended with Lebanon pushing the lead back up to 12, 66-54.

Powerade Team Pilipinas came out in a zone defense in the fourth quarter, confusing the Lebanese offense and forcing several turnovers. Lebanon also suffered a major loss early in the fourth, as Vroman fouled out of the game.

But the Nationals’ couldn’t capitalize, turning the ball over several times and muffing open shots, before Lebanon finally found its touch from the outside. Back to back 3-pointers with 4 minutes to go pushed the Lebanese lead up to 16 and put the game out of reach.

Curiously, it seemed like Guiao wasn’t really playing to win, as he pulled out Kerby Raymundo, who had at that point had been dominating Beshara and Vroman, midway through the third quarter just as the team was making a run. He also took out James Yap and Jayjay Helterbrand, just as they were getting into an offensive flow.

On the other hand, he did a lot more coaching in this game than he did in the early part in the tournament, where he seemed like he was just throwing out combinations. He chewed out Willie Miller several times for his careless ballhandling, and actually pulled him out in favor of Jayjay Helterbrand due to his erratic play, even though he had only been in for a few minutes. Late in the fourth quarter, he screamed at Japeth Aguilar, “Tigasan mo ang pick mo!”

Today, Guiao also had the task of selecting the final 12 for the Fiba-Asia tournament. Based on their play in the Jones Cup and Guiao’s philosophy, I’m posting my prediction for the final roster after the jump.

Shoo-ins:
1. Japeth Aguilar
2. Asi Taulava
3. Kerby Raymundo
4. Gabe Norwood
5. Jared Dillinger
6. James Yap
7. Willie Miller
8. Jayjay Helterbrand
9. Arwind Santos
10. Mick Pennisi

This leaves two slots, and four players:

1. Sonny Thoss
2. Ranidel de Ocampo
3. Cyrus Baguio
4. Ryan Reyes

Actually, I think it’s a tossup between the two big guys (Thoss and de Ocampo) and the two guards (Baguio and Reyes). Thoss has been the worst big guy on the team all tournament long, and I think Aguilar’s emergence makes him expendable. But he can also play the center spot, which de Ocampo can’t, so there’s a chance it might be Thoss.

The second is a much tougher decision. While Baguio has played well while Reyes has been injured, Reyes is the perfect point guard for this system, and in prior tune-ups, the team has always played its best with Reyes at the helm. I’m sure Guiao would want extra insurance in case Miller goes awry again.

But Reyes has been out of action since June, and who knows what kind of shape he’s in? I think that if he’s healthy, he’s in. But if his injury still lingers, then Baguio should get his passport ready for the trip to Fiba-Asia in Tianjin, China.