RP Youth absorbs spanking from China

09/06/2008

TEHRAN — Costly turnovers did the Nokia-RP Youth team in as it bowed to China, 86-63, and denied the Filipinos a fifth place finish in the 20th Fiba Asia Youth Basketball Championship here.

The Filipinos battled the deposed champions on even terms for almost three quarters until a spate of errors allowed the Chinese to pull away for good going into the final period of the consolation round match.

A three-pointer by Matthew Wright and a short stab by Ryan Roose Garcia leveled the count at 42-42 before the Chinese pounced on several passing errors by the Nokia-backed RP five to pull off a 15-0 run that put them safely on top, 57-42, late in the third quarter.

“We were right there, frustrating China’s offense and defense, but we made a lot of mistakes that gave the Chinese team confidence. In a short tournament such as this… you cannot afford such mistakes,” admitted assistant coach Derek Pumaren, taking over the coaching chores from brother Franz, who left for Manila earlier in time for the all-important La Salle-Ateneo match in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

The loss relegated the Filipinos in the battle for 7th place against Lebanon.

In other results, host Iran and Kazakhstan will figure it out in the championship of the tournament for players 18-and-under after turning back their respective opponents in the semifinals.

The Iranians got a big boost from their bench as it pulled off a thrilling 80-78 win over Syria, while the Kazakhs routed Japan, 103-78.

The scores

China (86) - Ren 27, Wang 14, Li 13, Yu 10, Cao 8, J. Ren 5, Sui 5, Zhao 2, Dong 2.

RP (63) - Wright 16, De Guzman 10, Mendoza 7, Garcia 6, Sangalang 6, Golla 4, Tolentino 4, Banal 2, Marata 2, Torres 2, Parades 1.

Quarterscores: 17-11; 38-32; 66-50; 86-63.

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