Paras powers Batang Gilas past Japanese

KOBE Paras, Radge Tongco and Jollo Go powered a thrilling comeback as the Philippines upended Japan in overtime, 113-105, Thursday to salvage a fifth-place finish in the Fiba Asia Under-18 Championship at Al-Gharafa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Playing his best game in the tournament, Paras led Batang Gilas’ huge rally from 12 points down, 67-79, in the fourth quarter to topscore with 27 points on top of 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal.

Tongco forged overtime, 93-93, by knocking in a clutch triple in the dying seconds, before Go took over by shooting nine of his 24 points in the extra period.

The Philippines still trailed by five points with just 14 seconds left in regulation, 88-93, but got a big break with Paras scoring a quick basket, 90-93, and Akito Uchida missing a pair of buffer free throws for Japan.

Paras then grabbed the rebound that paved the way for Tongco, the team’s top scorer, to bury the game-tying trey.

Mark Dyke (18 points, 12 rebounds), Paul Desiderio (17 points, eight boards) and Tongo (14 points) also finished in double figures for the Filipinos, who had full control in overtime.

Uchida shot 36 points and Shota Tsumaya had 34 to lead the Japanese.

China capped its dominant run with a 66-48 victory over Iran to clinch its third straight championship, while South Korea downed Chinese Taipei, 70-58, to nail the bronze.

All three medalists will represent Asia in the Fiba World Championship U19 in Greece next year. Jasmine W. Payo