fibaasia.net
Already assured of a world tilt, the Philippine National youth team went down fighting in a 78-85 loss to heavyweight China in the finals of the FIBA Asia Under 16 Championship early Saturday (Manila time) at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran.
Ateneo Blue Eaglets Jolo Mendoza and Mike Nieto led the Philippines’ gallant stand with 20 and 13 points, respectively as the young Nationals settled for the silver medal for their best finish ever in the biennial meet.
Philippines, which booked a ticket to the FIBA U17 Worlds in Dubai next year after pulling off a 77-72 rally past Chinese Taipei Friday, couldn’t contain China’s stringers Zhao Yanhao and Fu Hao.
Zhao scored 25 points while the six-foot-eight Hao asserted his size with 22 points and 18 rebounds.