PHILIPPINES BEATS CHINESE-TAIPEI, EARNS SLOT IN FIBA WORLD U17 CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Oct 2013
The Philippines under 16 squad duplicated the feat of the Men?s Gilas Pilipinas team by beating Chinese-Taipei 77-72 in the semi finals and earning the country a slot in the FIBA World U17 Championships in Dubai next year while booking a finals showdown with undefeated powerhouse China at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran.
Just like their seniors, the Filipino youngsters had to demonstrate nerves of steel and a remarkable fighting spirit to turn back the tough Chinese-Taipei team and avenge a first round 95-90 loss.
Ateneo high school hotshot Jolo Mendoza who buried four triples to finish with 28 big points left the best for last as he converted on a long three-pointer with 1:21 remaining in the game to push the Filipinos ahead for good.
The Philippines faces a daunting task against the Chinese behemoths who whipped Japan 99-78, in the other semifinal although the Philippines had also routed Japan 94-76 in the second round.
Chinese-Taipei with a sizzling 22-12 run in the third quarter quickly wiped out the Philippines five point halftime lead and established what looked like a comfortable 68-60 spread with 6:35 left in the game.
Just like their older counterparts the Filipinos never gave up and came to within one point behind a cracking 9-1 run to cut the Chinese-Taipei lead to a single point, 70-69.
With Chinese-Taipei up 72-71 Mendoza connected on a game-winning triple to regain the lead at 74-72.
The Philippines then tightened up on the defensive end and when skipper Mike Nieto scored on a put-back to push the Philippines ahead 76-72 a place in the world championship was within sight.
Nieto who has played consistently well ended the game with 17 points and 14 big rebounds for the Under 16 national team coached by Talk N? Text assistant Jamike Jarin.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan who spent a small fortune hosting the FIBA Asia Men?s Championship where the Philippines lost to Iran in the gold medal game at the Mall of Asia Arena but whose defeat was avenged by the U16 squad which clobbered the Iranians by 27 points in the quarter finals and also helped fund the U16 team in a message to coach Jarin said "You guys have done a magnificent job. You've made the country much happier after Fiba Asia. Puso!"
National coach Chot Reyes expressed the hope that the youngsters could do even better than Gilas Pilipinas by beating China and winning the gold medal.
Reyes said ?Our U16 Team went thru so much difficulty - funding, players, schedule - but now are one win away from the GOLD. I hope they outdo their kuyas.?
Kobe Paras, the 16 year old son of the PBA?s ?Tower of Power?, the only Rookie-MVP in the league had expressed confidence the U16 team would beat Chinese-Taipei and earn a berth in the world championships even as the recent World U18 Slam Dunk king hoped he could join and help the team in its future assignments.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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