Batang Gilas shocked Qatar, 77-61, to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship late Monday (Manila time) at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran.
Filipino-Australian forward Mason Amos led the way while Jared Bahay chipped in significant numbers off the bench for the Filipinos, who coasted to the next round after posting their second straight win.
They will know their quarterfinal foe depending on the outcome of the coming matches in this 10-team tournament.
Batang Gilas are facing fellow unbeaten squad in Chinese Taipei for Group B leadership at press time.
Chinese Taipei is also entering the game oozing with confidence after delivering an 80-61 beatdown of Syria last Monday.
Amos fired 19 points and seven rebounds while Bahay caught fire, registering 15 markers, three rebounds and three assists off the bench.
After trailing by three, 36-39, in the 6:57 mark of the third period, Batang Gilas dropped a 12-2 bomb capped by a layup by Seven Gagate to gain momentum and dictate the tempo the rest of the way.
Mohammed Hashim Z Abbasher registered 14 points and 10 rebounds for Qatar, which suffered its second consecutive loss to join Syria at the bottom of the team standings.
