Unlike Sunday against Singapore, Batang Gilas Pilipinas faced better competition this time but was still able to beat down Indonesia, 96-73, for their second win in the 2017 SEABA U16 Championship, Monday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The young Filipinos are now off to a 2-0 start in the regional cagefest, while the Indonesians dropped to 0-2.
Mac Guadaña anchored Batang Gilas with a triple-double, scoring 19 points on 60 percent shooting along with 10 rebounds and 11 assists. RC Calimag supplied 17 on 11 shots, while Kai Sotto produced 12 points and seven boards.
But despite the win, Batang Gilas head coach Mike Oliver was far from satisfied with what he saw, lamenting the lack of energy his wards displayed that allowed the Indonesians to show their skills better and threaten at times.
“Medyo super relaxed tayo eh,” stressed Oliver. “Feeling natin kayang-kaya natin yung kalaban dahil nung nakita, medyo maliit. Nawala yung intensity at yung aggressiveness noong lumamang na tayo ng malaki.”
After leading by just 16, 33-17, at the end of the opening frame, Batang Gilas pulled away wide late in the next period through a Terrence Fortea-led 6-0 run towards a 30-point gap, 58-28, with 7.5 seconds approaching the break.
But Indonesia managed to trim the lead to 20, 77-57, after back-to-back treys by Felix Alexander to open the payoff period. But Gilas responded with an 11-4 run highlighted by Sotto’s under-basket rim pull to restore order, 90-61, with 4:47 left to play.
The Nationals then maintained the 20- point cushion to keep the Indonesians at bay and seal the victory.
Alexander paced Indonesia with 18 points spiked by three triples, while Darryl Sebastian backed him up with 16 markers and five rebounds.
Gilas won the battle of the boards, 55-42, but turnovers proved to be their woes. They committed 26 miscues, which allowed the Indonesians to convert it to 21 points.
“Chinallenge kasi natin yung trapping defense ng Indonesia. Instead of mag-relay passing tayo, ginawa natin mag-direct pass tayo sa ilalim right away, so wala na tayong short passes,” the mentor said.
“Kaya medyo marami tayong na-commit na turnovers,” rued Oliver regarding the turnovers.
The Philippines’ defense was on point, racking up 17 steals and nine blocks.
Batang Gilas will head in a break tomorrow before taking on Thailand next on Wednesday, May 17, at 12:00 PM, while Indonesia will also face the Thais tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15, at 10:00 AM.
The Scores:
Philippines (96) – Guadana 19, Calimag 17, Sotto 12, Cortez 10, Lina 9, Fortea 8, Pascual 6, Padrigao 4, Tan 4, Lazaro 3, Chiu 2, Go 2.
Indonesia (73) – Alexander 18, Sebastian 16, Hans 8, Patiara 7, Hady 5, Bonfilio 5, Robert 4, Fawwaz 4, Fernanda 4, Linduaji 2, Olindo 0, Tarigan 0.
Quarterscores: 33-17, 58-28, 77-51, 96-73.
