PHILIPPINES TOPS GROUP, ENTERS FIBA UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 01 Oct 2013
The Philippines won their final Group F game against a surprisingly competitive Indian squad 78-67 to enter the quarter finals of the FIBA Under 16 Championships in Tehran, Iran early Tuesday, Manila Time, on a day where Bahrain shocked the hosts 70-50 while China remained unbeaten overcoming South Korea 83-71.
The Philippines will reportedly face Iran in the crossover quarter finals.
The Filipinos banked on the hot-hand of Jose Go in the second half to break a close game wide open and to give the Philippines the No.1 spot in the quarter finals.
The Indians raced to an early 5 point lead before a 13-0 run by the Philippines who took a 17-9 lead to show the way for the rest of the game although India clawed to within one points 34-33 and battled all the way until the final minutes of the third quarter when Go buried a couple of triples to give the SEABA champions a 15 point lead moving into the final quarter.
The Filipino youngsters extended the lead to as many as 23 points at 70-47 before India rallied but in the end the Philippines triumphed by 11 points with Go burying six three point shots to top score with 26 points and added to his worth with four steals.
Mike Nieto, described as the little big man scored 16 points and pulled down i8 rebounds and swiped 2 steals in less than 25 minutes on the court while three Indians tallied double figures.
The Philippines entered the second round with a 1-1 win-loss record but picked up their game to dispose of fancied Jordan, Japan and India.
The Philippines most impressive performance was against undefeated Japan whom coach Jamike Jarins boys whipped 94-76 in a game where they outshot and outworked the EABA champions. Even Japanese-African star Rui Hachimura was limited to 11 points on 2 of 9 shooting while spitfire Mike Nieto who played bigger than he actually is scored 21 points and pulled down 12 boards while Paul Desiderio and Jolo Mendoza combined for 35 points with Desiderio adding 9 rebvounds and 3 steals to seal a fine all-round performance.
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