FIBA U-16 team thumps Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines overpowered a surprisingly listless Japan side, 94-76, to advance to the quarterfinal round of the third FIBA-Asia Under-16 Championship in Tehran, Iran yesterday.

Ateneo’s Michael Joseph Nieto dished out a double-double job of 21 points and 12 rebounds while UP’s Paul Desiderio and Ateneo’s Jolo Mendoza and Matt Nieto chipped in 19, 16 and 13 points, respectively, as the Nationals moved into the next round with a 3-1 (win-loss) record.

It was a huge victory for the Filipinos, who beat a Japanese team coming off three straight wins.

The Phl takes on winless India at 12 midnight today (Phl time) as it seeks to finish as the No. 2 seed – or No. 1 if Japan beats Chinese Taipei today.

The Filipinos earlier walloped the Jordanians, 73-60, as they made up for their sorry 90-95 defeat to the Taiwanese last Friday.

The Phl edged Kazakhstan, 90-88, Thursday to open its campaign in the annual tournament.

The Filipinos are seeking to improve their fourth place finish in the event’s first two editions in Iran in 2009 and Na Thrang, Vietnam two years ago.

Over in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Phl team of Thirdy Ravena, Prince Rivero, Arvin Tolentino and Kobe Paras absorbed a pair of defeats to crash out of the 2013 FIBA 3x3 U-18 World Championships.

Needing just a win to make it to the round-of-16, the Filipinos faltered and lost to Czech Republic, 14-19, before succumbing to reigning champion and tournament favorite USA, 14-21.

The Nationals finished with a 3-4 mark, their wins coming at the expense of Chinese Taipei, Guatemala and Andorra all on Day One before losing to powerhouse China and Bulgaria.