RP U-18 clobbers Malaysia, nears SEABA crown

MANILA, Philippines – The RP Youth five bucked a slow start before pulling away in the second quarter en route to a 93-76 rout of host Malaysia that clinched them a spot in the FIBA Asia U-18 Championship.

The Filipinos trailed 18-20 after the first 10 minutes in their second game in the SEABA tournament held at Tawau Community Hall in Malaysia on Tuesday night.  They were still trailing, 27-28, when they rattled off an 18-2 windup in the second canto that broke the game wide open.

The 15-point (45-30) halftime lead grew to as many as 23, 87-64, late in the fourth.     

For the second straight game, all 12 players scored with four of them tallying double figures led by San Beda’s Ranbill Tongco with 12 points.

Jollo Go of Hope Christian High School, the top scorer with 18 in their 98-35 bashing of Indonesia, chipped in 11 points this time.  Cebuano cager Andres Paul Desiderio of UP and Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo each had 10 markers.

The Philippine Under-18 team coached by multi-titled Jamike Jarin will go for the sweep and the SEABA crown against Singapore this Wednesday.