AS expected, Batang Gilas dominated Indonesia, 106-50, to sweep the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (Seaba) Under-16 tournament on Sunday at the Xavier University Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro City.
Four players finished in double figures for Batang Gilas, led by Samjosef Belangel with 18 points, as the host country won the tournament for the third straight edition.
Jonas Tibayan added 14 markers and nine rebounds, while Gian Mamuyac and Sian Dave Ildefonso, son of Philippine Basketball Association great Danny, each had 12 points for the squad of Head Coach Michael Oliver.
Batang Gilas already earned a spot in the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Asia U16 tournament two days ago and their 56-point romp of the Indonesians was just the icing on the cake.
Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno, Seaba Secretary-General Dato Yeo and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Deputy Executive Director Bernie Atienza presented the trophy and medals to the Batang Gilas champion squad.
The five-nation tournament was presented by MVP Sports Foundation, Smart Communications, Maynilad, Rio Verde Water Cagayan de Oro City and Rough Rider Jeans Clothing, in partnership with the Department of Tourism Promotions Board, headed by Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III, and the local government of Cagayan de Oro.
The Filipinos swept their four games in the tournament and capped their final-day performance with a solid defensive effort. In the first half alone, Batang Gilas forced Indonesia to commit 21 turnovers, which they translated to 30 points.
By halftime, the hosts also got 42 points from the paint and led by as much as 36, 55-19, after the PHL 5 unleashed a 26-0 blast.