Energen Phl routs Malaysia in opener

MANILA, Philippines - Energen Pilipinas blitzed host Malaysia with torrid scoring in the first half to fashion out a 91-64 rout Tuesday night at the start of the first Southeast Asian Games Basketball Association Under-16 Championship for Men at the Kuala Langat gym in Banting City, Malaysia.

Arvin Tolentino led the Nationals with 16 points and seven rebounds while Gelo Vito, Radge Tongco and Kyles Lao added 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Filipinos dominated the Malaysians with their run-and-gun game, taking a 23-9 lead after the first quarter and posting a 44-26 bulge at the turn.

The Malaysians employed a full-court pressing defense at resumption of the contest, cutting the Nationals lead to 36-48 midway in the third quarter.

But the Filipinos regrouped and reasserted their might to race to a 71-49 lead on consecutive baskets by G-Boy Babilonia and Jay Javelosa.

Indonesia crushed Singapore, 101-68, in the other lopsided contest.