Batang Gilas overcomes Bahrain scare, enters FIBA Asia U-18 semis

Kai Sotto (15) was a major force in the paint for Batang Gilas. FIBA

The Philippines avoided a major letdown against Bahrain, 67-52, on Thursday to punch a ticket to the semifinals of the FIBA Under-18 Asia Championship in Thailand.

The win also gave the Batang Gilas a spot in next year's FIBA Under-19 World Championship.

With top gun Dave Ildefonso going cold from the field, the Philippines leaned on twin towers AJ Edu and Kai Sotto to score the quarterfinals victory.

The Pinoy teens came out strong, outscoring Bahrain, 20-11, in the first period.

But Batang Gilas let go of the rope in the second quarter, scoring just six points against 23 for Bahrain to go into the break trailing by eight, 34-26.

The Filipino dribblers woke up in the second half, steadily chopping down the deficit in the third quarter and holding on in the fourth to secure the win.

The 6-foot-10 Edu stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while the 7-foot-1 Sotto had 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

Ildefonso, the top scorer for the Philippines in its group-clinching victory over traditional powerhouse China on Tuesday, struggled with just six points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field. —JST, GMA News