THE Nokia RP Under-16 team remained unbeaten in the Nokia Pilipinas 2nd Youth Invitational Basketball Championship after shocking the taller Islamic Republic of Iran, 89-83, yesterday at the University of San Carlos Gym.

Nokia RP slowly overcame a second quarter 16-point deficit to win the game after a huge third second half run to win the match that serves as a preview of today’s championship match.

The two teams will face off anew in the championship match at 5 p.m.

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The Philippines finished with a 3-0 mark after beating Japan and Chinese Taipei in their first two games, while Iran is second with a 2-1 mark.

Iran also beat Japan and Chinese Taipei, which will fight each other for third place today.

Keifer Ravena spearheaded Nokia RP’s offense with 29 points, while Cris Michael Tolomia scored 17.

Nokia RP started out strong and held a six-point lead, 27-21, in the first quarter.

However, Iran opened the second quarter with a 21-2 run from the domination under the paint of its big men, Amir Sedighi and Mohammad Monj.

Sedighi and Monh had 14 and 13 points respectively, in the period while their stifling defense held Nokia RP to just five points.

IR Iran scored 27 points in that quarter for a 48-32 lead at the half.

Nokia RP refused to be beaten in its backyard as it started with a 10-0 third quarter run anchored on offense of Ravena, who scored 10 points in that quarter.

Soheil Yousefi, who was the leading scorer with 21 points for Iran, broke the momentum of Nokia RP as he scored a basket in the 6:24 mark.

Nokia RP then slowly chip ped away the deficit until they tied the score at 57-57.