Batang Gilas thwarts Bahrain, books historic World Cup berth

MANILA, Philippines – Batang Gilas overcame a second quarter meltdown as it survived a stubborn Bahrain, 67-52, on Thursday to clinch its first World Cup stint in four decades in the 2018 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship at the Studio 29 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The towering frontcourt duo of Kai Sotto and AJ Edu went to work again with the former finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and the latter 16 points, 17 boards and two blocks as the Filipinos booked a spot in the semifinals and its first trip to next year’s FIBA World Cup at a still undetermined venue since making it that far and finishing 10th in 1979 in Salvador, Brazil.

It will also be the Philippines’ first semis appearance since finishing with a bronze medal in the 1992 edition in Beijing, China.

The Nationals will play either he Aussies or the Japanese, who are playing at press time, in Friday’s semifinals.

With a World Cup slot already secured, Batang Gilas could shoot for more as it eyes for its first finals stint since making it that far and losing to China in 1986 in Manila.

Or the Filipinos could go all the way and shoot for their first title since winning it all in 1982 in Manila.

Coming into the game, the Filipinos were heavy favorites to beat the Bahraini after toppling mighty China in the Group Stage Tuesday that completed a three-game sweep of Group B and clinched them automatic quarters berth.

It looked that way when the Philippines zoomed to a 20-11 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

And then it went downhill in the second period when Bahrain held Batang Gilas to just six points while exploding for 23 points to go into the break with a 34-26 edge.

But the Filipinos threw a defensive mat on the Bahraini anchored on the 7-1 Sotto and 6-10 Edu and turned things around in the second half when the former utterly outgunned the latter, 41-16.

The scores

Philippines 67 – Sotto 21, Edu 16, Oczon 10, Ildefonso 6, Panopio 4, Abadiano 3, Ramirez 3, Cortez 2, Amsali 2, Torres 0, Lina 0, Chiu 0

Bahrain 52 – Ali R 13, Awadh 13, Rashed M 11, Rashed A 7, Hamoda 2, Aboukuora 2, Kadhem 2, Dindayneh 2, Nawaf 0, Alrowaila 0, Ali A 0, Koohiji 0
Quarterscores: 20-11; 26-34; 48-45; 67-52