ALLAN THE MAN

RAIN or Shine’s Beau Belga emerged as the best player and top scorer for the PBA selection that swamped the visiting Shanghai Sharks, 80-71, at the close of the two-day Philippines-China Friendship Games Tuesday night.

And to him also belonged the game’s highlight-reel play. Belga completely fooled Chinese Zhang Yuan with his patented shot fake in the most entertaining play of the contest, drawing laughs and cheers at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Nationals banked on 10-0 run in the second period to pull away before staving off a comeback try by the visiting Sharks. Members of Gilas' cadet training pool made a good account of themselves and blended well with pro players who are part of the national pool along with naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

"Beat China." This was the advice given by former NBA star Yao Ming to the Philippine national basketball team, Smart Gilas Pilipinas, seeking an end to the decades-long World Championship and Olympic drought.

Yao made the statement at the press conference on Philippines-China Friendship Games on Sunday at the Grand Ballroom of the Solaire Hotel and Casino near the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

The 7-foot-6 Yao, who played nine meaningful seasons with the Houston Rockets in the NBA, including the last few years where he was hobbled by various injuries, then withheld from giving more tips, saying it will end up spilling the beans to China's secret to success.

Philippine national men’s basketball coach Chot Reyes will tap members of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas cadet pool to join PBA players when the squad takes on the Shanghai Sharks.

The Philippines will play the Sharks, a Chinese Basketball Association club co-owned by former NBA star Yao Ming, in exhibition matches on May 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and on May 7 at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Members of the senior pool from PBA clubs that are no longer in contention in the Commissioner’s Cup will banner the squad. Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine, Gary David and Japeth Aguilar of GlobalPort, and June Mar Fajardo of Petron will be joined by senior pool members Marcus Douthit and Greg Slaughter.