Phl U18 runs through Indonesia to begin SEABA bid

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines smashed listless Indonesia, 98-35, to jumpstart its campaign in the ninth Southeast Asian Basketball Association Under-18 Championship in Sabah, Malaysia Monday night.

Jolo Go of Hope Christian School unleashed five booming triples to lead all scorers with 18 points while powering the Nationals to their first win in this four-day tournament, which stakes two berths in the FIBA-Asia U-18 Championship from Aug. 19-28 in Doha, Qatar.

San Beda's Ranbill Tongco and Ateneo's Thirdy Ravena, son of former PBA star Bong and younger brother of collegiate hotshot Kiefer, also contributed in different aspects with the former scattering 13 and the latter plucking 11 rebounds while making a couple of key steals that helped spark the early breakaway.

The Filipinos didn't leave anything to chance as they broke loose as early as the first half when they zoomed to a mighty 51-13 lead and never looked back from there.

"We know we can't afford to underestimate any team here that's why we want to stay aggressive from start to finish," Phl team coach Jamike Jarin, who will also coach half of the members of this team seeing action in the FIBA World Under-17 Championship in Dubai also in August, told The STAR.

The Phl seeks to clinch a spot in the Doha meet with a victory over Malaysia, which turned back Singapore, 82-74, in this tournament using the single-round robin format in selecting the champion.

The Filipinos play the Singaporeans Wednesday night.