Batang Gilas settles for 4th

(UPDATE) GILAS Pilipinas succumbed to China 59-87 to settle for a fourth place finish in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar early Monday (Manila time).

Joaquin Ludovice cashed in 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists to lead the Philippines, which got dominated by China in the middle quarters.

The Filipinos kept in step with the Chinese in the first frame, only trailing by three points 17-20 in the battle for bronze.

China, however, left the Philippines in the dust in the next two stanzas where the former outscored the latter 50-20 including a 26-8 third quarter assault.

The Chinese entered the final canto with a 33-point, 70-37 advantage and never looked back en route to a third place finish in the tourney.

Australia ruled the competition after beating New Zealand in the final 79-76.

Kiefer Alas also came through with 13 markers and five boards as Irish Chua chipped in 10 points for Gilas, which nonetheless booked its ticket to the U17 World Cup in Turkey next year due to their semifinals finish in this Asian tourney.

Boyuan Zhang proved to be a headache for the Philippines, uncorking 34 points on an efficient 12-of-17 shooting as well as pulling down seven rebounds.

Sinan Huan likewise played superb with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists as Ziheng Wang punched in 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.