Sinclair helps Batang Gilas clear SEABA Under-18 elims

Joshua Sinclair in action during the 2014 season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Former Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu standout Joshua Sinclair helped the Batang Gilas Pilipinas complete a clean five-game sweep of the elimination round as they destroyed hosts Indonesia, 113-73, in the 2016 SEABA Under-18 Championship on Wednesday night at the Angkasapura Lanud Hall in Medan, Indonesia.

Sinclair, a former Mythical Five member of the Cesafi juniors division back in 2014, had a near-flawless shooting performance as he made all 12 of his attempts from inside the arc for 25 points. He also pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out four assists in what has been a breakout party for the young Filipino-Australian.

The Philippines will be taking on Thailand in the finals which was still being played as of this writing. The Filipinos beat Thailand, 101-45, in their elimination round game in the tournament’s opening day of action.

Theo Flores, a former stalwart of University of the Visayas Baby Lancers which Sinclair and the rest of the Magis Eagles vanquished in the 2014 Cesafi juniors finals, added 11 markers and three boards.

The Philippines was ahead, 47-34, at halftime but blew the Indonesians away in the third with a 36-23 flurry. Things turned from bad to worse in the final frame as the Batang Gilas continued their brilliance on both ends of the floor and outscored their opponents, 30-16.

THE SCORES:
BATANG GILAS (113)- Sinclair 25, Mendoza 14, Tibayan 13, Flores 11, Yu 9, Mamuyac 8, Nelle 8, Lee 8, Bahio 6, Madrigal 5, Alfaro 5, Gozum 1.
INDONESIA (73)- Noor 14, Hartono 13, Saputera 10, Titoaji 7, Maulana 7, Nathan 6, Ray 5, Rigwanto 4, Nikolas 3, Alvaro 2, Sunarko 2, Martua 0.