Batang Gilas routs Bahrain in FIBA Asia U16 opener

MANILA, Philippines -- Batang Gilas opened their 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship with a rousing 98-58 rout of Bahrain on Thursday at Britama Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Sean Dave Ildefonso had 16 points to pace the Batang Gilas that placed first runner-up to China in the 2013 edition. 

The son of former two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso also added six boards, two assists and two steals. UP Junior Maroons standouts Juan Gomez de Liano and Will Gozum backed him up with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Ildefonso's Ateneo Blue Eaglets teammate Gian Mamuyac and Chang Kai Shek big man Jonas Tibayan added 12 apiece. 

The Batang Gilas raced to an early 22-13 lead in the opening quarter and never looked back. The unforgiving defense of Batang Gilas held Bahrain to 35 percent shooting clip and forced 35 turnovers. They practically led on all fronts as they brace for their showdown with Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand on Friday. 

Batang Gilas skipper Sam Belangel struggled with five points and six turnovers but issued out a game-high six assists.

Only Fadhel Abdulhusain who scored in double digits for Bahrain with a game-high 21 points but struggled from the field hitting only five of his 15 attempts.  

Pooled together with Bahrain, North Korea and Thailand, the Batang Gilas is expected to top Group C.  It will be an uphill climb in the second round as they will face the top three teams in Group D tipped to be defending champion China, South Korea and India.