Philippines, 19 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BATANG GILAS IN HEROIC FINISH TO EARN 5TH PLACE IN FIBA ASIA UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS


PhilBoxing.com




Living up to the Gilas Pilipinas slogan Laban! Puso! The Batang Gilas youngsters demonstrated its remarkable character despite a heartbreaking loss to Chinese-Taipei that denied them a final four slot to come back from the brink of defeat to score a heroic 113-105 overtime win against Japan in the FIBA Asia Under 18 Championships before a cheering throng of flag-waving Filipinos at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Emerging young star Kobe Paras who had been hurt by criticism from a few bashers in the past proved his worth with a superb game, scoring 27 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Issuing 4 assists, blocking three shots picking up a steal, effectively making critics eat their words.

The Philippine cause looked hopeless with Japan up by 12 points, 79-67 with 7:48 left to play. Refusing to give up, the young Filipinos cut the lead to three with 22 seconds remaining but after Paul Desiderio missed a game-tying three point attempt all seemed lost.

The Japanese then increased their lead to five points on two converted free throws, 93-88 with 14 seconds remaining before Batang Gilas showed its fighting heart.

After Desiderio once again failed to score on the Philippines next offensive, Paras rose high for the put-back to cut the lead to three at 93-90.

Feeling the pressure, Japan?s top scorer Akito Uchida who finished with 36 points missed two crucial free throws allowing Paras to grab the defensive rebound.

Batang Gilas then set up San Beda?s Ranbill Trongco who calmly sank a buzzer-beating triple to send the game into overtime.
Their spirits lifted Batang Gilas capitalized on a tiring Japanese squad to mount a 13-5 run to begin the overtime period that gave them a comfortable 106-98 cushion with just two minutes remaining as a seven-all windup helped the Philippines grab fifth place.

Paras shone with 27 big points and 10 rebounds, Jolo Go played his best game to add 24 while clutch-shooting Tongco finished with 14 while the steady Mark Dyke came through with 18 points and Paul Desiderio 17.

Paras? dad, former PBA two-time Most Valuable Player and the only player in the pro league to win both ?Rookie of the Year? and MVP honors in 1989 was obviously pleased that Kobe ?stepped up despite the critics? whom he had advised his son to ignore.
Paras commended the whole team for their togetherness and singled out Cholo Go for coming through in a decisive game.
He said the secret of Kobe?s success is his hard work and dedication even as he looked forward to Kobe playing in the next Under 19 tournament.

Paras said the team will arrive at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Kobe will return to the US where he has two more years to finish in high school at Los Angeles Cathedral.

Last June Paras scored 22 points in what Los Angeles Times Eric Sondheimer reported that Paras? electrifying performance had the crowd chanting ?Ko-Be! Ko-Be!? which helped motivate the teenager just as the Filipino fans inspired him and his Batang Gilas teammates to play their hearts out.

The scores: Philippines (113) --Paras 27, Go 24, Dyke 18, Desiderio 17, Tongco 14, Santillan 6, Yu 3, Escoto 2, Black 1, Mosqueda 1, Caracut 0, Bienes 0.
Japan (105) -- Uchida 36, Tsuyama 34, Aoki 12, Sumino 8, Mikami 8, Watanabe 3, Tomita 2, Ide 2, Motomura 0, Fukuoka 0. Quarterscores: 24-25; 46-49; 65-73; 93-93 (reg); 113-105.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • TIM TSZYU NOW FACES SEBASTIAN FUNDORA ON MARCH 30 AFTER KEITH THURMAN INJURY
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • More Olympic slots for ABAP?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • Yokasta Valle: "I Will Make History for Costa Rica!"
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • RYAN: WE TRIED TO GET IT AT HER WEIGHT BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT IT
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • POPEYE RETURNS HOME: RICHIE RIVERA RETURNS IN FIGHT 4/6 AT MOHEGAN SUN
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • Toro Promotions to showcase heavyweight trio Undefeated Ukraine Olympian Tsotne Rogava to headline, plus Alexander Flores and Kingsley Ibeh
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • NYPD officer Nisa Rodriguez shines in pro boxing debut
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • 1st Davey Chua Cup Softball League starts on March 23
    , Tue, 19 Mar 2024
  • DMMA, UM top Araw volley tourney
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • Patrick Bonifacio to compete in GM Balinas Open rapid chess tournament in Robinsons Galleria
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • Hot Irish prospect Tommy Hyde remains undefeated, captures first title as a pro
    , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman in Pacquiao-Elorde Awards in Manila
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • Filipino Bernie Regalario ready for US debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • Tandag arnis rules Zubiri Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • IIEE captures the team and individual championships in PTC WED Fun Shoot
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • UM Davao aims to repeat as champion in Davao City Athletic Festival
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 Mar 2024
  • Another One Fell to Body Punching
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • Davis' Eye Injury Spoils LAL-GS Play-In Game Preview
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • Mexico’s Green and Gold National Amateur Mega Tournament
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • DDGM’s Cup Open at Don Paco Rocamora Golf in Mati
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 62: MANNY PACQUIAO PRACTICE VIDEO FOOTAGE HOPES FOR A FIGHT AGAINST CONOR BENN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • Another honor for D’Flash
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA SECURES A GOLDEN TICKET TO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OPPORTUNITY AFTER TKO WIN OVER MAXI HUGHES IN
    , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • PTC WED update: PICE bowling champ, IIEE Millennial and GenX teams lead basketball tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 Mar 2024
  • "MANO DE PIEDRA" DURAN HEALTH UPDATE
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 16 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.