INQUIRER Sports

Games today:

USC Gym

3 p.m. – Japan vs. Chinese Taipei

5 p.m. – RP Nokia vs. Iran

The RP Nokia Under-16 team passed their first acid test with flying colors after they routed Japan, 77-59, in the main game of the Nokia Pilipinas 2nd Youth Invitational Basketball Championships Thursday night at the University of San Carlos (USC) gym.

The hosts made up for their lack of height with a blistering running game and near-flawless execution that took the fight out of their opponents starting in the second period.

Cris Michael Tolomia, the younger brother of former pro Chester Tolomia and incoming freshman at the Far Eastern University (FEU), paced the RP squad with 18 markers, nine coming in a scoring barrage in the second period that saw the squad take control of the match after falling behind, 15-20, after the first 10 minutes of action.

Tolomia spearheaded a 15-2 run, including seven consecutive points at the start of the second canto that turned the game around.

Von Pessumal and Jeron Teng continued the scoring parade and helped the nationals end the half with a 36-29 lead.

The Nationals were facing Chinese Taipei as of this writing.

Kebin Harayama and Ryo Tawatari each had 15 points to lead Japan.

Japan suffered its second straight defeat after it fell to Iran, 71-86, in the resumption of the tournament yesterday.

Amir Sedighi led the way for Iran with 19 points while Tawatari tallied 29 for Japan in a losing effort.