Sotto, Cortez lead way as Batang Gilas survives Malaysia in FIBA Asia U16

Delfin Dioquino

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Sotto, Cortez lead way as Batang Gilas survives Malaysia in FIBA Asia U16
Kai Sotto has 12 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks while Raven Cortez adds 12 points and 12 rebounds in Batang Gilas' opening win

MANILA, Philippines – Batang Gilas struggled to put the ball in the hoop but managed to escape Malaysia, 62-57, in its opener in the FIBA U16 Asian Championships in Foshan, China Monday, April 2. 

Kai Sotto dropped 12 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks and Raven Cortez chalked up 12 points and 12 rebounds that served as a shot in the arm for Batang Gilas, which registered a dismal 27.6% from the field (24-of-87). 

The Filipinos led by as much as 13 points, 59-46, before Malaysia narrowed the gap to 5 with 1:04 minutes left following a John Tang Jun Kai triple, 57-62. 

Malaysia had plenty of chances to equalize as Batang Gilas missed its next 3 shots and 4 freebies but to no avail. 

Batang Gilas, which went 2-of-27 from deep and 12-of-30 from the line, compensated for its shooting woes by dominating the rebounding battle, 79-60. 

Terrence John Fortea added 15 points on a 6-of-21 shooting and 9 boards and RC Calimag chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds and two steals in the win. 

Batang Gilas’ atrocious shooting took its toll early with Malaysia leading 21-14 midway through the second quarter. 

However, the Nationals restored order with a 16-6 run to end the first half with a slim 30-27 advantage. 

Tang Jun Kai was the lone Malaysia player to breach double figures with 17 points and 4 rebounds. 

Batang Gilas’ next assignment is powerhouse Australia on Wednesday, April 4. – Rappler.com

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Delfin Dioquino

Delfin Dioquino dreamt of being a PBA player, but he did not have the skills to make it. So he pursued the next best thing to being an athlete – to write about them. He took up journalism at the University of Santo Tomas and joined Rappler as soon as he graduated in 2017.