Batang Gilas ‘di rin nakaporma sa France

DUBAI -- Ginamit ng France ang kanilang height advantage para gibain ang Batang Gilas, 86-57, sa round of 16 ng FIBA U17 World Championship noong Martes ng gabi dito sa Al Ahli Arena.

Kumolekta si Stephane Gombauld ng 14 points at 20 rebounds, habang kumamada si Amine Noua ng 21 points at 12 boards para sa pagpasok ng France sa crossover quarterfinals.

Dinala naman ng magkapatid na Matt at Mike Nieto ang laban ng Filipino sa first half bago sumuko sa dulo.

Nalasap ng Batang Gilas ang kanilang ikaapat na sunod na kamalasan at nakatakdang labanan ang Argentina sa classification round.

“No Asian team has won over the European and American teams. China and Japan had the same result. It’s really difficult,’’ sabi ni Batang Gilas coach Jamike Jarin.

“We’re still trying to improve our placing and we’re proud of these 12 young kids. We will continue to fight,’’ dagdag pa nito.

Humabol ang koponan sa halftime, 35-41, bago tinambakan ng France ng 14 points sa pagtatapos ng third quarter kung saan nagkaroon si chief gunner Jolo Mendoza ng right hamstring injury.

Humakot ang France ng kabuuang 60 rebounds, ang 19 dito ay sa offensive end, kumpara sa 33 of Batang Gilas.

“Their (French) height is given. We could compete but something has to give,’’ wika ni Jarin. “As long as you give your best no matter what the results are, you should be proud that you represent the country.’’

Huling natikman ng mga Filipinos ang abante sa 11-9 mula sa floater ni Mendoza sa first period bago nagdomina ang French team.

FRANCE 86 -- Noua 21, Gombauld 14, Loubaki 13, Denis 9, Ponsar 7, Hergott 6, Leboeuf 5, Hufschmidt 5, Jeanne 4, Cortale 2, Labanere 0.

Philippines 57 -- Nieto 12, Nieto 12, Mendoza 9, Dela Cruz 8, Go 6, Desiderio 6, Escoto 2, Dario 2, Panlilio 0, Navarro 0, Padilla 0, Abadeza 0.

Quarterscores: 20-17, 41-35, 61-47, 86-57.