Nokia RP routs Saudis in Fiba Asia U-18 kickoff

SANA’A, Yemen - The Nokia RP U-18 team used a combination of pressing and zone defense to stifle Saudi Arabia, 86-68, and join favorite China in the Group C lead in the FIBA Asia U-18 Championships here at the 22nd May court Wednesday.

The Nationals broke away from a tight 22-21 game in the first quarter with a big run in the second period as they employed a zone and pressing defense that took the fight out of the Saudis.

“We were able to neutralize them with our zone. We were able to bother them with our pressing defense,” said Nokia head coach Eric Altamirano.

Team RP goes for win No. 2 against Syria at 5 p.m. today (Yemen time). Syria lost to China, 48-82, later in the afternoon.

Jeron Teng fired 20 points while Kiefer Ravena, fresh for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets three-peat campaign in the UAAP, had 11 points. The duo also accounted for 11 of their team’s game-high total of 13 steals.

Jeth Troy Rosario had 10 points for the RP squad, whose campaign is backed by Nokia Phils. and TAO Corp.

Mathna Almarwani paced the Saudis with 17 points and five rebounds while Marzouq Almuwalled tallied 12 points and five boards.

Nokia RP played more as a team with a total of 19 assists, 11 more than the Saudis although they were outrebounded, 27-34. But the aggressive defensive stance allowed them to get more possessions as the Filipinos shot 57 percent (36 of 63 from the field) that more than made up for its poor shooting from the foul line at 41 percent (9 of 22 tries). The team also made five of 17 three-point attempts for a 29 percent clip.

“It was tough since we are still adjusting to the air. The Saudis also played a tough game,” said Altamirano, whose team eyes to improve on the Philippines seventh place finish in 2008.

The tournament offers three tickets to the 2011 FIBA U-19 World Championship to be played in Latvia next year.