THE RP Nokia Under-16 team delivered in its first assignment of the Nokia Pilipinas 2nd Youth Invitational Basketball Championships when it battered Japan, 77-59,
Thursday night at the University of San Carlos gym.

The RP team trailed the bigger Japanese team, 10-15 in the first period, but made a complete turnaround and dropped a 15-2 bomb in the second, behind the leadership of topscorer Cris Michael Tolomia, to lead, 30-22.

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Von Pessumal and Jeron Teng, then took over the scoring duties for a 36-29 lead at the turn.

Things turned for the worse for the Japanese as the Filipinos ravaged them in the third period and extended the lead to 20, 75-55, as the Philippines started the exhibition series with a win.

Tolomia led the RP scorers with 18 points, while Jeffrey Javillonar added 14.

Meanwhile, yesterday, Japan absorbed its second straight loss when it it lost to Iran, 71-86.

Amir Sedighi led Iran with 19 points, while Tawatari posted 29 markers for Japan.

Today, the young Pinoys will gun for another win against the tough Iranians at 5 p.m, while Japan takes on Chinese Taipei at 3 p.m.