SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD RC Calimag, who wasn’t supposed to be playing for Batang Gilas, made his decision to stay behind in the Philippines worth the sacrifice.
The 6’1” Calimag scored what proved to be the winning basket in the last eight seconds as Batang Gilas made a date history following a thrilling 72-70 win over Japan in the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China on Thursday.
Calimag, who stayed in the country for Gilas as he decided not to leave for the United States to be with his mom and two siblings to pay their dad a visit, knocked in 15 points, including the game winner with eight seconds left that shattered a 70-all deadlock.
Japanese hotshot Chikara Tanaka, who gave Batang Gilas a scare with his three-point bombs, however, bungled a jump shot in the ensuing play with a second left, enabling the Gilas juniors to escape with the win that netted them a berth in the semifinal round and a historic place in the Fiba U17 World Cup.
The Philippines made it to the Fiba Under-17 World Championship (renamed Fiba U17 World Cup) in 2014 on a team led by University of the Philippines’ Paul Desiderio and Ateneo’s Matt and Mike Nieto and Jolo Mendoza.
Calimag was not supposed to play for Batang Gilas after his parents booked him a flight to the United States to visit his dad Ricky, a retired PBA player and former member of the San Beda Red Lions.
But when his dad learned that Calimag was going to be part of the team that’s going to China, Ricky asked his mom to cancel his flight to the US.
Because of this, RC will just follow his family to Los Angeles after his stint in the tournament is over, according to family members.
Kai Sotto powered Batang Gilas with 28 points and 21 rebounds, including a split charity in the last 1:28 that allowed them to stay afloat, 70-65.
Tanaka led Japan with 17 points as scored all of his team’s points in an 11-1 rally, spiked by three triples that allowed the Japanese to fight their way out of a 59-69 deficit and into a 70-all tie with 32 seconds left.
Earlier, Batang Gilas took charge early and smothered Hong Kong, 103-61, last Thursday to reach the quarterfinals.
Australia also advanced to the semifinals after prevailing over South Korea, 69-60, along with New Zealand, which pulled off a 73-69 win over Iran.
Host China and Lebanon are still locked in a showdown, with the winner facing Batang Gilas this Saturday.
In 2013, Batang Gilas reached the finals, but lost to China, 78-85.
The scores:
Philippines 72—Sotto 21, Calimag 15, Cortez 8, Fortea 6, Guadana 4, Padrigao 4, Andrada 4, Bautista 3, Balaga 0, Chiu 0, Lazaro 0, Go 0.
Japan 70—Tanaka 17, Yuki 14, Mitani 12, Tominaka 12, Nakamura 5, Kawamura 2, Yokochi 2, Sasayama 0, Iwasaki 0.
Quarterscores: 15-17, 32-34, 57-46, 72-70.