Iran no-show boosts Energen bid

NHA TRANG CITY, Vietnam – Energen Pilipinas’ bid in the Second FIBA-Asia Under-16 Championship got a big boost after powerhouse Iran forfeited its second straight game and dropped out of the tournament.

The Nationals, who made it here by sweeping the SEABA Championship last August with an average winning margin of 38 points, were playing the Indonesians at the Khanh Hoa Sports Center at press time last night and are scheduled to take on the hosts at 8 p.m. (Phl time) tonight, hoping to sweep Group D.

Already assured of a spot in the second round, the Philippines will then take on Group C qualifiers Japan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which all advanced after Iran, who beat the Phl for third place in the last edition in Yemen, failed to show up in their first two games due to visa problems.

“Our initial goals are to make the quarterfinals and if possible finish the elimination round as the top seed,” said Energen Pilipinas coach Olsen Racela.

But the Filipinos will have to sweep their first round games as well as the second round, including one against the Japanese, who are now unscathed after routing Saudi Arabia, 64-29, Tuesday and beating Iran via forfeiture yesterday.

In other results, West Asian champion Iraq bounced back from a heartbreaking 70-73 loss to South Korea with a 100-32 demolition of Uzbekistan while Saudi Arabia dumped Qatar, 85-47, for 1-1 slates in the 11-day event staking a lone berth to the 2012 FIBA World U-17 Championship in Lithuania next year.

Defending champion China walloped India, 64-27, Lebanon won over Uzbekistan, 108-21, Chinese Taipei drubbed SEABA runner-up Malaysia, 71-37, Indonesia trounced host Vietnam, 75-61, and Qatar won via default over Iran.

“Although it was just the first game, we basically had a glimpse of the competition,” said Racela.

Energen Pilipinas is bannered by Fil-Aussie Jordan Heading and SEABA veterans Henry Asilum of Sacred Heart-Cebu, NU’s Hubert Cani, San Beda’s Rev Diputado, Xavier’s Kyles Lao and Reedley’s Jay Javelosa.

Malayan’s J-Jay Alejandro, Victory’s Nic Dalafu, San Beda’s Andrei Caracut, Ateneo’s Tomas Ramos, NU’s Prince Rivero and Xavier’s Isaac Go complete the cast of the team sponsored by Energen, distributed in the country by TriDharma Marketing Corp.

Ateneo’s Earl Murphy and Arellano U’s Daryl Pascual are the team’s reserves.