Pinoys rout Malaysians, gain berth in Asian U-18

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines bucked a shaky start with a stronger finish as it trounced Malaysia, 93-76, to virtually clinch the ninth Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship crown in Tawau, Malaysia Tuesday night.

Trailing by two points after the opening quarter, the Filipinos went on an attack mode and outscored the Malaysians, 27-10, in the second period, taking complete control, 45-30, at the turn.

Malaysia fought back at resumption and threatened at 60-68, but the Philippines regrouped and raced to double-digit leads en route to victory, its second win for a berth in the 23rd FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship slated Aug. 19-28 in Doha, Qatar.

Ranbill Tongco shot 12 points while Jose Go, Thirdy Ravena and Andres Paul Desiderio added 11, 10 and 10 points, respectively.

The Phl tries to close out with a sweep as it clashes with winless Singapore in the final day of the four-day tournament.

“This is the first step to a bigger battle, which is the FIBA-Asia Championship in Doha,” Phl team coach Jamike Jarin, who steered the team to a silver medal finish in the FIBA-Asia U-16 event in Iran last year to gain a spot in the FIBA Worlds in Dubai, also this August, told The STAR. 

Malaysia and Indonesia, which edged Singapore, 66-62, will fight for the second last spot in Doha.