Games Sunday (Ghazir Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon)
5 p.m. — Smart-Gilas vs Qatar
7 p.m. — Lebanon vs Japan

Lebanon needed to use its vast experience and deeper bench to beat the courageous Smart-Gilas Pilipinas squad, 81-80, in their knockout semifinal encounter in the FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup Saturday night at the Ghazir Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon.

Returning to the host team for this tournament, wingman Fadi El Khatib scored a game-high 25 points while former NBA player Jackson Vroman contributed 23 points as Lebanon outlasted the Nationals in a thrilling finish and set up a Finals date against Japan.

The setback relegated Smart-Gilas to the battle for bronze medal Sunday against Qatar, which absorbed a 78-76 overtime loss to Japan in their own semis encounter.

Fil-Am guard Marcio Lassiter led the undermanned national team with 25 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the three-point territory.

Chris Tiu connected 4-of-6 tries from the 3-point area to finish with 16 while JV Casio added 17 points for Smart-Gilas.

Lebanon led by 10 points, 75-65, with six minutes to play, but the RP team moved within striking distance, 77-78, with 1:32 left behind a 12-3 run highlighted by three three-pointers courtesy of Lassiter, Mac Baracael and Tiu.

After trading missed shots, including a triple attempt by Lassiter and a lay-up by Baracael, El Khatib made a pair of free throws to put Lebanon up, 80-77, with 18.6 seconds left.

Casio and Lebanon’s Ronnie Fahed split their free throws in the next plays, before the former nailed two foul shots as Smart-Gilas got within 80-81 with nine seconds left. After El Khatib missed his free throws, the Nationals had a chance to win it all in the final 8.1 seconds.

However, Casio was triple-teammed on the left side, forcing him to pass the leather to Lassiter, who was fouled at the buzzer while attempting a shot.

The referees though ruled there was no time left when the call was made.

The scores:

Lebanon 81 — El Khatib 25, Vroman 23, Stephan 10, El Nour 7, Fakhreddine 7, Fahed 4, Rustom 3, Kanaan 2, Mahmoud 0.

Philippines 80 — Lassiter 25, Casio 17, Tiu 16, Barroca 5, Taulava 5, Baracael 8, Aguilar 3, Ababou 1, Ballesteros 0.

Quarters: 27-22, 49-45, 67-62, 81-80