i TV Pinoy

Source: mb.com.ph

-- Nokia U-16 Team Pilipinas continued its winning ways as it nailed a pair of emphatic victories to remain undefeated entering the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia U-16 Men’s Championship at the Bandaraya Stadium here.

A day after narrowly surviving Japan, the Nationals kept their deadly form, pulling off a 76-50 win over Kazakhstan late Friday before essaying a masterful 62-45 conquest of Bahrain to close the elimination round on top of Group B.

The Philippines will face the loser between Syria and Korea in the opening day of the three-game quarterfinal round starting today. Game time is 6 p.m. (update: see Quarterfinal Schedule for RP team below..)

With skipper Kiefer Ravena smothered by the Bahrainis’ leech-like defense all game-long, Cris Tolomia stepped up as he poured 13 of his 27 points in the fourth period to practically wrap up the contest after furious exchanges of baskets in the first three quarters.

The younger brother of former Barangay Ginebra swingman, Chester Tolomia, also hauled down three rebounds and one steal highlighted by five three-pointers in 28 minutes of action.

Ravena, who exploded for 25 points against Japan and 23 against Kazakhstan, but was limited to only eight points, three rebounds and two steals, giving Tolomia and the rest of the bench the green light to shoot in the payoff period.

“They tried to stop Kiefer, but we, especially our bench, were ready for it,” Team Pilipinas coach Eric Altamirano said, noting the 36 points tallied by his bench players compared to Bahrain’s zero.

After trailing 13-23, the Nationals finally unraveled the chink in the Bahrainis’ armor as Ravena and Tolomia uncorked a 10-2 run as Team RP seized the lead at the half 31-28.