MANILA – Batang Gilas failed to score a repeat win against China, suffering a 57-76 defeat to finish on fourth place in the 2018 FIBA U18 Asian Championship on Saturday at Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
But the Philippines’ failed bid for a third place finish did not diminish its accomplishment of earning a slot in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup – in what will be its first appearance in the big stage in 39 years – after making it to the U18 Asian playoffs.
Still reeling from its shock 63-73 defeat in the group stage, China opened the match with guns ablaze as Quanze Wang unloaded 15 early points for them to surge 27-14.
China widened the lead further in the second period 38-16 but Batang Gilas countered with conversions from Ariel John Edu and Kai Sotto to come to within 26-43 at the half.
Batang Gilas showed some life in the third canto on rare outside hits from Sotto and came to as close as 40-53 on a Rhayyan Amsali hit but consecutive triples by the Chinese widened the lead anew 59-43.
China put the fight out of Batang Gilas for good in the final quarter with Wang and Jie Xu hoisting outside shots for its largest lead at 23 points before the Philippines cut it down with late conversions.
Wang led the way with double-double 27 points and 14 rebounds while Xu contributed 18 markers for China.
Sotto bounced back from a 2-point outing against Australia as he poured in 16 points, including two 3-point conversions, while Filipino-Nigerian Edu had 14 markers for the Philippines./PN
