Batang Gilas eyes pivotal win in second round

MANILA, Philippines – Batang Gilas hopes to win at least one of their next three games in the second round to have a chance at barging into the quarterfinals of the FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship at the Al-Gharafa Gym in Doha, Qatar.

The Filipinos finished tied for third with the Malaysians, their Southeast Asian rivals, on 1-1 (win-loss) records, behind the Chinese and South Koreans, who were unbeaten with 2-0 slates after the first round.

The Philippine was playing Qatar (0-2) at press time and is scheduled to tackle powerhouse China Saturday before closing the second round with a game against Malaysia on Sunday.

Batang Gilas won its first game against Jordan, 85-60, before getting ambushed by South Korea, 69-87.

The Filipinos will have to minimize their turnovers after committing 23 against the Koreans, who scored 23 points off it including 14 on the break.

Ranbill Tongco, a rookie out of the San Beda Lions, emerged the lone steady presence for the Nationals in the first round after averaging 24 points in two games.