THE Batang Gilas Pilipinas suffered another one-sided beating after losing to Mali, 95-59, in the Class 9-16 game of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup at the Technological University Stadium in Santa Fe, Argentina.
The Philippines got to an early lead and was up ahead 15-14 after the first period. But from then on it was all Mali.
Mali took a 43-32 lead at halftime after outscoring the Philippines, 29-17, in the second quarter.
Mali continued the beating and had its best output in the fourth, scoring 34 points and holding the Philippines to just 15.
Siriman Kanoute and Oumar Ballo combined for 58 of Mali’s 95 points. Kanoute exploded for 30 markers, took eight rebounds, dished out seven assists and had four steals. Ballo, in the meantime, poured in 28 points, grabbed 19 boards and had a block. Ladji Dembele and Mohamed Keita chipped in 11 and 10 respectively.
Raven Cortez and Yukien Andrada was the Philippines’ top scorers with 10 points apiece. Kai Sotto had an off night with just six points and six rebounds.
The Philippines has lost its fifth game in the tournament.
The Batang Gilas is up against Egypt today in a Class 13-16 game. (EKA)