THE ENERGEN Pilipinas under-18 team downed host Singapore, 75-63, Thursday night to secure a Fiba Asia slot in the 8th Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) U18 Championship for Men.
Led by Jay Alejandro, the Philippines stayed undefeated in two games and tied Indonesia at the top with identical 2-0 slates at Singapore Basketball Center.
Alejandro topscored for the Filipinos with 13 points.
Despite the intimidating presence of 6-foot-7 Delvin Goh, the defending champions Filipinos won the rebounds battle, 44-29.
The top three teams in the five-nation tournament will advance to the Fiba Asia event in August in Mongolia. Jasmine W. Payo
The scores:
PHILIPPINES 75—Alejandro 13, Nambatac 12, Lao 10, Javelosa 8, Cani 7, Rivero 6, De Leon 5, Morada 5, Olayon 5, Bonleon 4, Suarez 0, Go 0.
SINGAPORE 63—Goh 17, Tay 15, Thng 13, Ng 8, Toh 5, Chee 3, Tan 2, Wong 0, Low 0, Chun 0, Chan 0, Ang 0.
Quarters: 16-13, 35-30, 55-52, 75-63