RP Youth outlasts Japan in overtime

MANILA, Philippines - The Nokia RP U-18 team turned back Japan, 91-86, in overtime Thursday night in the FIBA-Asia U-18 Championship at the 22nd May Arena in Sana’A, Yemen.

Already out of the running for the semifinals, the Nationals seek fifth place against Yemen. Win or lose, RP will improve on the eighth place finish in 2008 in Tehran.

Kiefer Ravena sizzled with 37 points on a 14-of-23 shooting from the field and a perfect eight of eight shooting from the line. He also had two rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Jeron Teng had 14 points while Russel Escoto tallied nine points and 12 of the team’s 35 rebounds.

The Filipinos held the Japanese to just four points in the extension. Japan, led by Seiya Ando’s 22, Kodai Kimura’s 19 and Takumi Mitsuyama’s 18 points, will battle Lebanon for seventh place.

China and Korea dispute the crown after beating Iran, 63-52, and Chinese Taipei, 79-68, respectively.