RP boys fourth; China bags World U-16 crown

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia – Iran ended the Filipinos’ young dreams with an 83-73 win over Nokia U-16 Team Pilipinas in overtime to finish second runner-up in the FIBA Asia U-16 Men’s Championship Friday night at the Bandaraya Stadium.

Second-string center Jeoffey Javillonar muffed an easy putback in regulation while the Nationals struggled in overtime, allowing the Iranians to convert 13 unanswered points to snatch the third-place trophy.

In the nightcap, China delivered the knockout punch in the second half in destroying Korea, 104-69, to win the title of this inaugural tourney which sends both teams to the FIBA World U-17 Men’s Championship in Hamburg, Germany next year.

It was Team Pilipinas’ second heart-breaking loss to Iran since winning twice in the second Nokia Invitational Cup in Cebu City recently. Iran clobbered Team Pilipinas in the quarterfinals, 76-70, sending the Filipinos to an impossible mission of beating China in the semifinals.

The Filipinos surrendered their chance for a better finish after bowing to the mighty Chinese in the semifinals, 66-85, and to the Iranians in the battle for third.

The fourth place, however, is already a big achievement for the young and talented squad.

“We have high hopes entering this tournament,” said Tao Corp. president Jun Sy, the squad’s chief sponsor. “We don’t measure success with what we achieved here. This is a very young team, and we’re just in the second year of our three-year program. For us, this is already a big achievement. Fourth place is already good enough.”