Despite Batang Gilas losing, match vs. Australia ends peacefully

Despite Batang Gilas bowing after a 34-point defeat, the team limited Australia to only 77 points, its lowest output so far in the tournament. (Photo: FIBA/Twitter)

MANILA — Despite Australia once again showing its might over the Philippines, their FIBA U18 Asian Championship match did not go nasty unlike what happened with their senior counterparts last month.

There was no tense moment between the U18 teams of both countries, known as the Emus and Batang Gilas, respectively, in their semifinal clash at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Friday night.

In fact, both teams took a picture together before the start of the game, signaling that the brawl that took place on July 2 between the Gilas Elites and the Boomers is now a thing of the past.

However, the Aussies dominated the Filipinos starting in the second quarter, outscoring them 30-8, to turn a 14-12 first quarter lead to a 44-20 blowout in the making by halftime.

Despite Batang Gilas bowing after a 34-point defeat, the team limited Australia to only 77 points, its lowest output so far in the tournament. However, the 43 points Batang Gilas scored all game long was also its lowest so far.

Samson Froling paced Australia with 12 points, seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and two steals. Kody Stattman and Callum Dalton each added 10 markers.

AJ Edu made nine points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks for Batang Gilas.

Australia takes on New Zealand for the gold on Saturday. China, which bowed to New Zealand, 87-82 in the other semifinal match, will face the Philippines for the bronze.

The Scores:

Australia 77: Froling 12, Dalton 10, Stattman 10, Bowen 8, Gatbel 7, Lee 7, Robertson 7, Wigness 7, Leaupepe 6, Krause 3, Armstrong 0.

Philippines 43: Edu 9, Abadiano 8, Cortez 6, Torres 6, Ildefonso 5, Panopio 4, Oczon 3, Sotto 2, Amsali 0, Chiu 0, Lina 0, Ramirez 0.

Quarters: 14-12, 44-20, 60-28, 77-43.