BATANG Gilas took charge early and smothered Hong Kong, 103-61, Thursday in Foshan, China to advance to the quarterfinals of the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship.
Kai Sotto made up for Batang Gilas’ loss to Australia with 11 points and 12 rebounds, with his two baskets in the last 8:15 of the first period allowing Batang Gilas to set the tone early, 7-2.
RC Calimag and King Balaga shot 12 points, while Rence Padrigao and Geoff Chiu had 11 each. Mclaude Guadana made 10.
Two triples from Guadana and one from Calimag in the remaining 5:38 saw Batang Gilas climb to an 18-4 spread with 5:38 left.
With the win, Batang Gilas made it to the quarterfinals and will face Japan at 6 p.m. today at the Foshan Lingnan Mingzhu Gymnasium.
Japan is unbeaten in three matches in Group D.