Batang Gilas escapes Japan, qualifies for Fiba U17 World Cup

Recaredo Christian Calimag. Photo from Fiba.com

Batang Gilas booked a spot in the Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 after surviving Japan, 72-70, in the quarterfinals of the Fiba Asia U-16 championships on Friday in Foshan, China.

Top four teams in the Asian qualifiers advance to the World Cup slated in June in Argentina with the Filipinos grabbing one of the semifinals seats along with New Zealand, Australia and the winner of the China-Lebanon duel.

Recaredo Christian Calimag bailed Batang Gilas out after their fourth-quarter collapse and scored the game-winner with 2.3 seconds left.

Calimag got the ball from top of the key, drove to the lane and nailed the tough shot over the outstretched hands of two Japanese defenders.

Chikara Tanaka, who scored 11 straight points for Japan in the last 3:24 and gave the Filipinos a scare, then missed the a baseline fadeaway that could’ve sent the game into overtime with a second left.

The Filipinos flirted with disaster, losing a 69-59 lead with 3:33 left as Tanaka lit up for Japan and tied the game at 70 with a triple.

Kai Sotto was in full display for the Philippines, putting up a 20-20 performance of 21 points and 28 rebounds while swatting away three shots.

Calimag added 15 points to the Filipinos’ cause.

Tanaka finished with 17 points, on 4-of-8 shooting from deep to lead Japan while Keisei Tominaga and Keijiro Mitani added 12 points apiece.