THE PHILIPPINES will play Chinese Taipei for fifth place after Energen-Pilipinas defeated Lebanon 80-69 Saturday in the Fiba-Asia Under-18 Championships in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia.
Mario Bonleon scored 19 points in his return from an ankle injury while Rey Nambatac and J-Jay Alejandro had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Energen-Pilipinas squad on Sunday will face a Chinese Taipei that it had defeated in the second round, 88-83.
The Filipino youth cagers outscored the Lebanese, 20-12, in the third period to wrest the lead for good.
The Taiwanese thumped Saudi Arabia, 77-38, to advance to the battle-for-fifth place.
The scores:
PHILIPPINES (80) – Bonleon 19, Nambatac 12, Alejandro 10, Suarez 9, Babilonia 8, Pingoy 8, Rivero 8, Porter 4, Cani 2, Olayon 0, Lao 0.
LEBANON (69) – Salem 18, Hadidian 15, Arakji 14, Mezher 8, El Ali 5, Assi 3, Nemer 3, Chamoun 2, Al Agha 1, Choueiry 0, Tabaja 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21; 41-38; 61-50; 80-69.
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