Slow start dooms Batang Gilas in FIBA U16 quarterfinals loss to Japan

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ national under-16 boys basketball team had a nightmarish start that led to their elimination from contention in the 2015 FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship against Japan, 73-66, on Thursday, November 5, at the Britama Arena in Indonesia.

Batang Gilas made the score more respectable by rallying in the fourth period,  but Japan came up with enough stops to move to the semifinals of the tourney.

The Philippines had finished second in the 2013 edition of the tournament, but will now be relegated to the classification brackets with the defeat.

It was a disappointing outcome for the national team, who entered the game against Japan with momentum after dealing China its first ever loss in the tourney.

Batang Gilas didn’t score a point in the game until the 5:02 mark of the first period, when Samjosef Belangel made a free throw to make the count 15-1 in favor of Japan.

Japan was ahead 23-9 after one quarter and by 16, 46-30, by the half.

Down 71-56 with 5:51 left in the contest, Batang Gilas went on a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to 7 with 1:32 remaining. They had multiple chances to cut into the lead more, but Belangel, Sean Ildefonso, and Gian Mamuyac each missed critical jumpers.

The national team had another chance to cut the lead to 5 with 34 seconds to go, but Jonas Tibayan misfired on two free throws that essentially sealed the loss.

While Japan will go on to face Chinese Taipei in the semis, the Philippines will face Thailand in the classification round. Batang Gilas defeated Thailand in the competition’s first round.

Belangel led Batang Gilas with 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Ildefonso and Tibayan had 8 points each. Mamuyac was limited to just two points on 1-of-12 shooting, including a 0-of-5 display from downtown. 

The top 3 finishers of the 2015 FIBA Asia Under-16 tournament will earn spots in the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Spain. – Rappler.com