MANILA – Batang Gilas kicked off its campaign in the 2018 FIBA U18 Asian Championship with a rousing 75-53 victory over Lebanon at Stadium 29 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dave Ildefonso waxed hot in the opening half to finish with 19 points while Filipino-Nigerian big man AJ Edu added double-double 17 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Philippines on Sunday night.
“My goal is really to help our team reach the U19 World Cup,” said Ildefonso, a National University Bulldogs standout. “It’s a big thing talaga to play against the best people around the world.”
Kai Sotto also made his towering presence felt as he finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Dalph Panopio debuted with Batang Gilas with 12 markers, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
Inside baskets toward a 25-15 edge allowed for a strong start for Batang Gilas. The Lebanese kept the gap close in the second quarter but the Philippines – leaning on Ildefonso – made it through 41-33 by halftime.
Batang Gilas pulled away further in the second half with Edu wreaking havoc with inside hits and a tight defense while Panopio got his shooting going as the Philippines built its largest lead in the game at 22.
After taking on United Arab Emirates on Monday night, the Josh Reyes-mentored Batang Gilas will face powerhouse China at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to close out its group matches.
A top four finish in the tournament will earn the nationals a ticket to the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup./PN
