Batang Gilas survives Malaysia in Fiba Asia U16 opener | Inquirer Sports

Batang Gilas survives Malaysia in Fiba Asia U16 opener

/ 03:08 PM April 02, 2018

Terrence Fortea. Photo from FIBA.com

Batang Gilas Pilipinas survived a determined Malaysian squad, 62-57, in the opening day of the 2018 FIBA Asia U-16 Championship in Foshan, China.

Terrence Fortea topped the Nationals with 15 points on a 6-of-21 shooting, while also hauling down nine rebounds and two assists to lead the charge.

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Kai Sotto also unloaded 12 markers, 16 boards, four blocks, and two dimes as he triggered the Philippines’ 13-3 decisive run in the third quarter that turned a 36-37 deficit to a 49-40 advantage at the end of the period.

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Raven Cortez also impressed with his double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, while RC Calimag got eight markers and six boards.

It was a terrible shooting display for the Philippines as it shot just 27-percent from the field, including a 2-of-27 from three, and 12-of-30from the free throw line.

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Batang Gilas, though, went to its strengths as Sotto and Cortez lorded in the paint, with the latter giving them the 13-point edge, 59-46 lead with 5:11 remaining.

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Malaysia’s John Tang kept his side within striking distance and trimmed the deficit down to five, 59-54, with 2:52 left, but Cortez and Sotto drained their charities to put the game away late.

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Batang Gilas will next face Australia on Wednesday for a chance to top Group B in the preliminary round.

Tang paced the Malaysians with 17 points and four rebounds.

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The Scores:

PHILIPPINES 62 — Fortea 15, Cortez 12, Sotto 12, Calimag 8, Go 4, Andrada 3, Guadaña 3, Padrigao 3, Lazaro 2, Balaga 0, Bautista 0, Chiu 0.

MALAYSIA 57 — Tang 17, Lee JH 9, Teoh YK 8, Wong 8, Foo 4, Tan EW 4, Yap 3, Khor 2, Tan CW 2, Lee W 0, Teoh WH 0.

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Quarters: 11-13, 30-27, 49-40, 62-57.

TAGS: 2018 FIBA Asia U-16 Championship, Gilas Pilipinas, Kai Sotto, Terrence Fortea

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