Batang Gilas nips Kazakhstan, eyes 5th place finish

MANILA, Philippines – Batang Gilas tamed a taller, bigger Kazakhstan, 86-74, to ensure itself of at least a sixth place finish in the 23rd FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship at the Al-Gharafa gym in Doha, Qatar Wednesday night.

State U's Andres Paul Desiderio erupted for 19 points while San Beda's Ranbill Tongco, Hope Christian School's Jose Go IV, National U's Mark Anthony Dyke and Los Angeles Cathedral's Kobe Paras had 13, 10, 10 and 10 points, respectively, to help seal the win for the Filipinos.

The Nationals, whose trip here is being bankrolled by MVP Sports Foundation and Smart, could end up at fifth spot if they could beat the Japanese, who slammed the Malaysians, 87-63, in their showdown.

Regardless, Batang Gilas has made a good account of themselves after re-establishing its reputation as one of the best teams in the region.

Under coach Jamike Jarin, the Filipinos topped the Southeast Asian Basketball Association U-18 Championship, took the silver in the FIBA-Asia U-16 Championship in Iran last year, made the FIBA U-17 World in Dubai where they finished 15th of 16 weeks back, and then fashioned out their quarterfinals finish here.

Meanwhile, China smashed Chinese Taipei, 92-50, and Iran routed South Korea, 78-60, to arrange a duel for the gold medal while clinching the first two spots in the 2015 FIBA U-19 World in Greece.

The third and last berth and the bronze medal will be contested by Chinese Taipei and South Korea.