MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines did what it could but the United States, bannered by likely future NBA stars, was just simply too much to handle.
Batang Gilas suffered a 64-124 setback at the hands of the mighty USA team in the Fiba U17 World Championship Tuesday morning (Manila time) in Dubai.
The young Filipinos kept it close at the start trailing by only four, 14-18, before the Americans went on a 14-2 run to end the first quarter and take total control of the game.
Malik Newman shot a jumper that made it a 21-point game for USA, 47-26, in the second quarter before his dunk pushed the lead to 31, 63-32, at the 8:20 mark of the third period.
The Nationals suffered their third straight defeat in as many games after losses to Angola and Greece–ending the first round at the bottom of Group A while the Americans ruled the same group at 3-0.
The Philippines takes on Group B leader France in the Round of 16.
Jolo Mendoza again led the Philippines, who got pummeled at the rebounding department anew, 26-66, in scoring with 19 points while Richard Escoto had 10.
USA, which had 10 blocks compared to PH’s zero, had six players with at least 12 points led by Newman and Josh Jackson’s 16 points.
The Americans also shot 56 percent from the field while limiting the Filipinos to just 35 percent.