INQUIRER Sports

NOKIA TEAM PILIPINAS smothered Syria, 71-57, Sunday and remained unbeaten in the Fiba U-16 Men?s Championship at the Bandaraya Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Jeron Teng and Dana Sara took over from Kiefer Ravena and Cris Tolomia as the young Nationals opened their quarterfinal campaign on a promising note.

Teng, son of former PBA enforcer Alvin Teng, fired 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Sara, a San Beda Red Cubs mainstay, delivered 14 markers, including a three-pointer that capped a 23-4 windup by the Filipinos.

Sara also nailed a triple in the opening minutes of the fourth that allowed the Nationals to seize control, 48-45, following three quarters of poor shooting.

?We?re almost there, we just have to work harder,? said RP coach Eric Altamirano, whose crew was playing Iran at press time.

The Philippines will face Jordan today to wrap up its three-game quarterfinal stint in the tournament where two slots to the 2010 Fiba U-17 World Championship in Germany are at stake.

The semifinals begin on Thursday.

Ravena contributed 11 points while Kevin Ferrer added 10.

The Philippines, which swept its three games in the eliminations, complained why two Middle Eastern referees?a Bahraini and a Kuwaiti?worked its game against Syria.

?I find it odd that two Arab referees were officiating in a very crucial game involving an Arab nation,? said Bernie Atienza, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas competitions committee chair. June Navarro

The scores:

PHILIPPINES 71?Teng 16, Sara 14, Ravena 11, Ferrer 10, Pate 7, Pessumal 5, Romero 4, Javillonar 2, Tolomia 1, Alolino 1, Bantayan 0

SYRIA 57?Otabachi 20, Rahal 14, Trub 9, Beirakdar 5, Sijjieh 3, Obaysi 2, Baghajati 2, Basel 2, Abfouk 0, Tarakji 0, Al Zain 0, Akksahl 0

Quarters: 16-16, 29-30, 45-44, 71-57