Frustrated Batang Gilas players after loss to Japan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Batang Gilas could not recover from an early deficit and fell to Japan, 73-66, Thursday to bow out of the quarterfinals of 2016 Fiba Asia U-16 Championship at Britama Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A 15-0 start for Japanese doomed the Filipinos, who failed to bank on the massive 78-72 upset victory over China a day before.
Yudai Nishida led the assault for Team Hayabusa with 20 points and eight rebounds while Taiga Kagitomi added 16 markers. Seiya Takahara also had 12 for Japan.
SJ Belangel captained the fourth quarter fightback for Batang Gilas, but Japan proved too much as the Filipinos failed to advance to the semifinals.
Belangel finished with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Jason Lorenzo Credo added 11 markers for the Philippines, who fought through a number of injuries for this game.