NEW ZEALAND struck hard in the second period and turned back Batang Gilas, 76-60, yesterday in the battle for third place at the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China.
Marvin Williams-Dunn led the Kiwis with 17 points while Terrence Fortea delivered 18 for the Filipinos, which settled for fourth place.
The loss hardly mattered since Batang Gilas has already earned a slot to the 2018 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup with New Zealand, Australia and China.
The Kiwis took charge with a 14-0 run in the last 5:15.
Dunn took charge during the Kiwi blitz, shattering an 18-all tie with his jumper and split free throw.
Harrison Payne, who only had four points, capped the run with layup in the last 5:11, and the Kiwis enjoyed a 32-18 edge afterwards.
Kai Sotto finished with 13 points and seven rebounds for Batang Gilas.
China earlier defeated Batang Gilas, 60-54, in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Moon Jeon-Hyeon hit 25 points for South Korea which took fifth place after prevailing over Japan, 75-63.
Jalal Agha Mir made 27 points for Iran, which settled for seventh spot after whipping Lebanon, 95-82.