Batang Gilas finally overcome China, earns outright QF ticket

This might probably be the best Batang Gilas team ever assembled.

After losing badly to China in their last three encounters, the Philippine Boys’ Under-18 National Basketball Team used a huge third quarter surge to hack out a 73-63 victory over their past tormentors, Tuesday evening at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

With the win, the Philippines ended its Group Stage campaign with a resounding sweep – winning by an average margin of 25.0 per game. The reward? An outright spot in the quarterfinals.

Prior to this game, the Philippines had lost all three of its match-ups against China in the Under-18 stage by an average of 37.0 points per game.

Making it possible was Filipino-Italian Dalph Panopio.

When Chine crept in during the final minutes of the game, Panopio provided some timely baskets to buck the young Chinese.

Panopio finished the game with 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

The Philippines though was dominant for the majority of the game.

With the twin tower combination of Kai Sotto and AJ Edu guarding the effort, Batang Gilas would lead by as much as 18 points, 51-33, late in the third frame coming off back-to-back triples by Dave Ildefonso.

Ildefonso led the team in scoring with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Edu had 13 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks while Sotto added 11 markers, 10 boards, and four swats.

Guo Haowen paced China with 24 points.

Batang Gilas will have a day break before it begins its quarterfinals campaign. The game takes place on Thursday, August 9.

The Scores:

Philippines 73 – Ildefonso 18, Edu 13, Panopio 12, Sotto 11, Oczon 11, Torres 5, Abadiano 2, Cortez 1, Ramirez 0, Amsali 0, Lina 0, Chiu 0

China 63 – Guo 24, Jiang Q 14, Wang Q 13, Xu 7, Jiang W 5, Shi 0, Li 0, Chen 0, Wang Y 0

Quarterscores: 18-15, 31-27, 54-39, 73-63