Batang Gilas pounds UAE, braces for China showdown

MANILA, Philippines — Batang Gilas overpowered a listless United Arab Emirates, 92-49, and set up an interesting showdown with powerhouse China in a battle of unbeaten teams in Group B in the 2018 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship at the Studio 29 in Bangkok, Thailand Monday night.

The mammoth frontcourt tandem of 6-10 AJ Edu and 7-1 Kai Sotto played just minimally but still led the Filipinos by combining for 30 points and 16 rebounds to nail their second straight victory after bashing the Lebanese, 75-53, the day before.

The Josh Reyes-coached Nationals are expected to be tested against China, the 2014 champion thrashed UAE, 118-27, and Lebanon, 100-52, to likewise stay unscathed in their much-awaited duel being played at press time.

The winner of Philippines-China match will automatically advance to the quarterfinal round while the loser will play the Group A third seed in a knockout game for a quarters spot.

Edu, a Fil-Nigerian recruited by University of Toledo in Ohia, United States, and Sotto have been meshing exceptionally well, whicg bodes well for a team seeking to book one of the four spots in the FIBA World Cup set at a still unspecified venue next year.

In their first game together against Lebanon, Edu had 17 points, 12 boards and five blocks while Sotto had 12 points, eight caroms and a block.

And the Filipinos have been taking advantage of their rare size advantage as they outrebounded Lebanon, 61-36, and UAE, 66-26.

The scores

Philippines 92 – Edu 16, Sotto 14, Amsali 13, Torres 12, Panopio 7, Abadiano 6, Cortez 6, Lina 6, Ramirez 5, Oczon 3, Chiu 2, Ildefonso 2.

UAE 49 – Alhashmi 18, Albreiki 11, Hussein 8, Ablooshi 4, Abloushi 4, Almaeeni 4, S. Alhammadi 0, Alhosani 0, Alketbi 0, Alsawan 0.

Quarterscores: 29-14; 50-31; 69-41; 92-49.