Energen Pilipinas clobbers Indonesia to jumpstart Fiba U-16 campaign

NHA TRANG, Vietnam—The Philippines pulled off an emphatic repeat of what it did to Indonesia just two months ago.

Even with a retooled roster, the Energen Pilipinas Under-16 team still flashed too much speed and power in overwhelming Indonesia, 93-30, at the start of its campaign in the Fiba Asia U16 tournament Wednesday night at the Khanh Hoa Sports Center here.

“We weren’t nervous, we were ready even before we got here,” said Jay Alejandro, the team skipper who made his international debut by unloading a game-high 17 points.

“We really prepared well. I think our team has a lot more to show.”

The victory gave the Philippines the lead in Group D at 1-0 as Indonesia wrapped up its preliminary run at 1-1.

Just two months ago, the Philippines also routed Indonesia by exactly 63 points (109-46) during its championship sweep of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) U16 in Banting City, Malaysia.

But national youth coach Olsen Racela said that while the rousing start boosted the confidence of his 12-man roster—where seven are playing in their first international tournament—the team is already looking ahead.

“I already told the boys one win doesn’t mean anything,” said Racela. “We might have an easy way to the quarterfinals, but once there, it’s already a different level.”

Banking on their run-and-gun play, the Philippines drilled 27 straight points in an eight-minute stretch in the second period to extend the lead to 54-11 after racing to a 23-6 start.

Kyles Lao pumped in all but two of his 15 points in the first half. Isaac Go and Prince Rivero chipped in nine markers each, while Rev Diputado and Filipino-Australian Jordan Heading also gave the squad an early lift.

“We limited them (Indonesians) to 30 points which is good,” said Racela. “We were able to achieve our goals, although we’ve wanted to improve more on rebounding.”

The Philippines is assured of a second-round berth after luckily getting grouped in the only three-team bracket with Indonesia and host Vietnam, which the young Nationals were battling at presstime last night.

All three Group D nations will advance to the second round against Group C qualifiers Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Defending champion China (Group A) and Korea (Group B), the runner-up in the tournament’s last edition in 2009, both swept their three-game preliminary assignments.

Up for grabs in the 15-nation tournament are two slots in the 2012 Fiba U17 World Championship set in Lithuania from July 17 to 26.

The scores:
PHILIPPINES 93—Alejandro 17, Lao 15, Go 9, Rivero 9, Diputado 8, Heading 7, Cani 7, Ramos 6, Javelosa 4, Dalafu 4, Caracut 4, Asilum 3.
INDONESIA 30—Abraham 9, Indraprasto 6, Kosasih 5, Yogia 4, Fahdani 4, Sidabutar 2, Airawan 0, Setiawan 0, Istiadi 9, Purwoko 0, Ramadhan 0, Wongso 0.
Quarters: 27-9, 56-13, 78-22, 93-30