MVP WANTS BATANG GILAS STRENGTHENED
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 13 Aug 2014
Following the ouster of the Batang Gilas team from the FIBA World Under 17 Championships in Dubai with another crushing 86-57 loss to France in the round of sixteen after earlier losing by big margins to Angola, Greece and the United States, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan wants the team strengthened.
Pangilinan told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that the coaching staff headed by Jamike Jarin ?must have known? that our opponents were much taller and bigger than the diminutive Filipinos and that they ?need to sit down? and discuss ways of bringing in some bigger players.
While he admired the fighting heart of the young boys, Pangilinan said the team should look into the possibility of recruiting Fil-foreigners to boost the line-up in terms of height since the tallest Filipino player was 6?3? while eleven of the twelve players on the USA team to which we lost by 60 points were much taller.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes told the Standard he has been ?talking to people in the US about finding some big Fil-Americans early? to reinforce the Batang Gilas line-up for the next World Cup tournament.
In their final round of sixteen game, Batang Gilas put on a gallant show in the first half behind patented fast-breaks and fine outside shooting to stay within striking distance of France at 41-35 but fell apart in the second half as the French went inside to their big men who dominated alongside some excellent outside shooting to outscore the Filipinos 45-22 in the second half for the 86-57 victory at the Al-Ahli Arena in Dubai on Tuesday night.
Batang Gilas team captain Mike Nieto led the nationals with 12 points and 10 rebounds while twin brother Matt Nieto also finished with 12 points while shooting star Jolo Mendoza who top scored in the games against Angola, Greece and the USA contributed 9 points.
Michael Dela Cruz showed a hot hand by scoring the last six points of the second quarter with back-to-back triples.
As usual the Filipino boys were not match against the bigger French players and were badly beaten off the boards by a wide 60-33 margin.
Batang Gilas was scheduled to face the losers in the Spain-Argentina clash in the consolation round rankings on Wednesday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay reaches Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Pistons defeated Mavericks in NBA Game 34 in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025GM Antonio finishes 14th in World Senior Standard event
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE FIGHTS SEIYA TSUTSUMI FOR THE WBA BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Luka Dončić Equals Wilt Chamberlain’s Historic Scoring Feat
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025THRILLA IN MANILA II RESULTS: JERUSALEM, TAPALES, MARCIAL LEAD WINNERS
By Eric Armit, Sun, 02 Nov 2025