B Gilas trips Malaysia on Caracut’s clutch hit

MANILA, Philippines - Joshua Andrei Caracut hit a clutch triple as Team Philippines turned back a feisty Malaysia side, 72-69, to arrange a quarterfinal showdown with Chinese Taipei in the 23rd FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship at the Al-Gharafa Gym in Doha, Qatar yesterday.

The Batang Gilas fought back from 12 down in the second period then battled the Malaysians to eight deadlocks and 11 lead-changes in the last 15 minutes of the contest before Caracut came through with that triple that shattered the 69-all count.

The Malaysians actually had a chance to force overtime but fumbled in their last possession, enabling the Nationals, whose campaign is sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation and Smart, to snatch the win.

The Batang Gilas thus finished with a 3-2 (win-loss) record to clinch the No. 3 seed in Group E for a quarters duel with Chinese Taipei, the No. 2 seed in Group F with a 4-1 slate, set at 10 p.m. today (Phl time).

More importantly, the win prevented Batang Gilas from facing off with the fancied Iran, the bronze medalist last year which swept all its five matches in Group F.

The Malaysians, making their first quarters stint, will instead face the Iranians.

Ranbill Tongco continued to lead the team with 22 points while Kobe Paras and Mark Anthony Dyke added 12 and 10 points, respectively.