THE ENERGEN Pilipinas under-18 team used a strong first half to coast to a 95-52 romp over Saudi Arabia at the start of the 22nd Fiba Asia Under-18 Championship Friday night in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Mario Bonleon set the tone by unloading all but two of his 13 points in the first two quarters of the Philippines’ opening campaign in Group D of the preliminary round at Buyant-Ukhaa Arena.
Bonleon, a standout forward from La Salle Green Hills, also had team-best seven rebounds to help the Nationals pull away by 20 points, 49-29, at the half.
Jerie Pingoy—the reigning UAAP juniors MVP from Far Eastern University-Diliman—also helped preserve the Philippines’ double-digit cushion along with Kyle Suarez, Jay Alejandro, Rey Nambatac and Kent Lao.
Suarez topscored with 15 points and had three steals, while Alejandro and Pingoy combined for 25 points.
Mentored by Olsen Racela, the Philippines takes on Kazakhstan at 12 noon Saturday.
The scores:
PHILIPPINES 95–Suarez 15, Alejandro 14, Bonleon 13, Pingoy 11, Nambatac 10, Lao 9, Cani 6, Olayon 6, Javelosa 5, Porter 4, Rivero 2, Babilonia 0.
SAUDI ARABIA 52–Faqihi 19, Abo Jalas 11, Bafarat 8, Ahmedkhalil 4, Alhosawe 4, Barnawi 4, Bakhashwain 2, Sufyani 0, Musallam 0, Altama 0r, Mahammed 0.
Quarters: 23-12, 49-29, 76-45, 95-52