Australia battles PH in FIBA Asia U18 semis after rout of Japan

MANILA — An interesting semifinal will ensue in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship after Australia mauled Japan, 88-52, in the quarterfinal round of the tournament at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Thursday night.

The Teen Boomers, who also booked a spot in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, slowly but surely pulled away from the Teen Akatsuki 5 to pull off the rout.

Kyle Bowen (22 markers, 13 rebounds) and Samson Froling (12 points, 11 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles for Australia, which will take on Batang Gilas in the semifinals on Friday.

The showdown will be the first time the Philippines and Australia would collide in a FIBA-sanctioned match since the infamous brawl that ensued between their senior counterparts in Bocaue, Bulacan on July 2.

Keisei Tominaga dropped 16 markers, one dime, and two steals for Japan. ( Ivan Stewart Saldajeno /PNA)

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