Energen PH U-18 five settles for sixth

THE ENERGEN Pilipinas Youth team rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final two minutes before bowing to Chinese Taipei, 89-85, and settling for sixth place in the 22nd Fiba Asia Under-18 Championship Sunday in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Taiwanese saw their 77-63 lead reduced to 83-80 with 34 seconds left but they kept their poise to prevail behind Fan Shi-en (21 points and 11 rebounds) and Lin Kuan-chun (17 points).

Jay Alejandro pumped in 21 points, including 14 in the thrilling run that fell short as the Philippines ended its campaign at Buyant-Ukhaa Arena.

Jerie Pingoy and Mario Bonleon added 15 points each for the Philippines, which finished a rung lower than the fifth-place finish of the PH team in the tournament’s last edition in 2010 in Yemen.

The Philippines failed to duplicate its upset of Chinese Taipei in the second round, 88-83.

Although the young Filipinos had a strong run in the first two rounds, they bowed to powerhouse South Korea, 90-77, in the quarterfinals on Friday night.

Led by Bonleon, the Philippines drubbed Lebanon, 80-69, in the consolation round to stay in the hunt for fifth on Saturday

China and Korea, the finalists in the last edition, were battling for the crown at presstime last night.

The Chinese drubbed Japan, 103-80, in the semifinals. Jasmine W. Payo

The scores:

CHINESE TAIPEI 89—Fan 21, Lin 17, Wu 16, Lu 10, Huang 8, Li 6, Chin 6, Lee 3, Chiu 2, Chen 0Huang 0, Cheng 0,

PHILIPPINES 85—Alejandro 22, Pingoy 15, Bonleon 15, Nambatac 7, Babilonia 6, Suarez 6, Cani 5, Rivero 4, Olayon 3, Lao 2, Porter 0, Javelosa 0.

Quarters: 22-20, 35-34, 60-48, 89-85