Batang Gilas recovers, routs Hong Kong to earn quarters berth

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines rebounded from its loss to Australia by crushing Hong Kong, 103-61, in the playoffs of the 2018 FIBA Asia Under-16 World Cup at the Lignan Mingzhu Gymnasium in Foshan, China.

A day after its loss to Australia, 82-52, that also served as a wakeup call for the Filipinos to play better, Batang Gilas finally looked sharp against the overmatched Hong Kong squad.

Seven Filipinos scored in double figures, with RC Calimag and King Balaga showing the way with 12 points while Geo Chiu, Terrence Fortea, Kai Sotto and Forthsky Padrigao added 11 each. Mac Guadaña added to the double-digit parade with 10 points. In fact, all 12 players fielded by head coach Michael Oliver scored.

For Hong Kong, Lung Tsz Kit topscored with 18 points while Cheung Man Tsun backstopped him with 11.

The Philippines bettered Hong Kong’s output in every statistical category, but it was ruling the paint against the smaller Hong Kong players that proved to be the difference.

Batang Gilas’ massive 72-42 advantage in rebounds allowed them to score more fastbreak points, 12-2, and second chance points 32-7. The Philippines simply pounded the Chinese in the paint, 44-26.

The Philippines also held Hong Kong to 32.4 percent field goal shooting.

The win saw the Philippines advance to the quarterfinals against Japan at 6 p.m. Friday, while Hong Kong was relegated to the classification round.