The FIBA Under-17 World Cup-bound Batang Gilas Pilipinas gave host China a good fight, but it was not enough to topple them, falling 54-60, Saturday evening at the Foshan Lingnan Mingzhu Gym in China.
With the loss, the Philippines will be relegated to the bronze medal match. Batang Gilas will take on New Zealand on Sunday, April 8.
Still, it was a valiant stand by the young Filipinos, led by the top-ranked high school prospect in the Chooks-to-Go/NBTC 24 rankings Kai Sotto. The 7-foot-1 teenager finished the game with 26 points, 21 rebounds, and six swats. Terrence Fortea added 18 markers and nine boards.
However, it was not enough against the highly-ranked Chinese squad.
Batang Gilas was behind by 12 entering the final frame before Fortea took matters into his own hands. Fortea sparked the Philippines, slicing the lead to just three, 52-55, with five minutes remaining.
With 1:06 remaining and Batang Gilas down by just four, Saimati Xierzhati was able to clean up China’s mess before finding Sun Haoqin for the dagger.
The Philippines’ hero against Japan, RC Calimag, did not play in the contest due to a knee injury.
Sun led China with 22 markers.
The Scores:
Philippines 54 — Sotto 26, Fortea 18, Cortez 4, Guadaña 4, Andrada 2, Balaga 0, Bautista 0, Chiu 0, Lazaro 0.
China 60 — Sun 22, Saimati 10, Aizimaiti 8, Lu 8, Chen 4, Li 3, Qu 3, Yang 2, Jiao 0.
Quarterscores: 15-16, 29-32, 36-48, 54-60.
