Batang Gilas Knocked out to France | Fiba U-17

The Philippine national youth basketball team put up a good fight but couldn’t topple mighty France to succumb an 86-57 result and end its dream campaign in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship on Monday at the Al-Ahli Arena in Dubai, UAE.

Team captain Mike Nieto posted team-highs of 12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals while twin brother Matt finished with 12 of his own to help lead Batang Gilas, which dropped a fourth straight match of the tournament.

Jolo Mendoza, who led the team in scoring over the first three games, had nine points but only two after the first quarter.

Batang Gilas kept the game close in the first half, giving the French a hard time in defense and sinking triples and fastbreak conversions as the Filipinos stayed within six points, 41-35, after two quarters.

Nieto finished with eight of his total points in the first half while Michael Dela Cruz scored the last six points of the second quarter after knocking down back-to-back three-pointers late.

But France flexed its muscles in the second half and built a commanding lead to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Filipinos were outscored, 45-22, over the last two periods.

The team was dominated in the rebounding battle in yet another game as the taller French team nearly doubled their output, 60-33.

Batang Gilas will still have opportunity to gain valuable experience as they are slated to play in the classification rounds.

The scores:
France (86) – Noua 21, Gombauld 14, Loubaki 13, Denis 9, Ponsar 7, Hergott 6, Leboeuf 5, Hufschmidt 5, Jeanne 4, Cortale 2, Labanere 0, Bengaber 0.

Batang Gilas (57) – Mi. Nieto 12, Ma. Nieto 12, Mendoza 9, Dela Cruz 8, Go 6, Desiderio 6, Escoto 2, Dario 2, Abadeza 0, Panlilio 0, Navarro 0, Padilla 0.