BATANG GILAS IN HEROIC FINISH TO EARN 5TH PLACE IN FIBA ASIA UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Aug 2014
Living up to the Gilas Pilipinas slogan Laban! Puso! The Batang Gilas youngsters demonstrated its remarkable character despite a heartbreaking loss to Chinese-Taipei that denied them a final four slot to come back from the brink of defeat to score a heroic 113-105 overtime win against Japan in the FIBA Asia Under 18 Championships before a cheering throng of flag-waving Filipinos at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Emerging young star Kobe Paras who had been hurt by criticism from a few bashers in the past proved his worth with a superb game, scoring 27 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Issuing 4 assists, blocking three shots picking up a steal, effectively making critics eat their words.
The Philippine cause looked hopeless with Japan up by 12 points, 79-67 with 7:48 left to play. Refusing to give up, the young Filipinos cut the lead to three with 22 seconds remaining but after Paul Desiderio missed a game-tying three point attempt all seemed lost.
The Japanese then increased their lead to five points on two converted free throws, 93-88 with 14 seconds remaining before Batang Gilas showed its fighting heart.
After Desiderio once again failed to score on the Philippines next offensive, Paras rose high for the put-back to cut the lead to three at 93-90.
Feeling the pressure, Japan?s top scorer Akito Uchida who finished with 36 points missed two crucial free throws allowing Paras to grab the defensive rebound.
Batang Gilas then set up San Beda?s Ranbill Trongco who calmly sank a buzzer-beating triple to send the game into overtime.
Their spirits lifted Batang Gilas capitalized on a tiring Japanese squad to mount a 13-5 run to begin the overtime period that gave them a comfortable 106-98 cushion with just two minutes remaining as a seven-all windup helped the Philippines grab fifth place.
Paras shone with 27 big points and 10 rebounds, Jolo Go played his best game to add 24 while clutch-shooting Tongco finished with 14 while the steady Mark Dyke came through with 18 points and Paul Desiderio 17.
Paras? dad, former PBA two-time Most Valuable Player and the only player in the pro league to win both ?Rookie of the Year? and MVP honors in 1989 was obviously pleased that Kobe ?stepped up despite the critics? whom he had advised his son to ignore.
Paras commended the whole team for their togetherness and singled out Cholo Go for coming through in a decisive game.
He said the secret of Kobe?s success is his hard work and dedication even as he looked forward to Kobe playing in the next Under 19 tournament.
Paras said the team will arrive at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Kobe will return to the US where he has two more years to finish in high school at Los Angeles Cathedral.
Last June Paras scored 22 points in what Los Angeles Times Eric Sondheimer reported that Paras? electrifying performance had the crowd chanting ?Ko-Be! Ko-Be!? which helped motivate the teenager just as the Filipino fans inspired him and his Batang Gilas teammates to play their hearts out.
The scores: Philippines (113) --Paras 27, Go 24, Dyke 18, Desiderio 17, Tongco 14, Santillan 6, Yu 3, Escoto 2, Black 1, Mosqueda 1, Caracut 0, Bienes 0.
Japan (105) -- Uchida 36, Tsuyama 34, Aoki 12, Sumino 8, Mikami 8, Watanabe 3, Tomita 2, Ide 2, Motomura 0, Fukuoka 0. Quarterscores: 24-25; 46-49; 65-73; 93-93 (reg); 113-105.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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