Batang Gilas started the game strong and went on to smother United Arab Emirates, 92-49, Monday night at the Bangkok Thai-Japan Youth Center in Thailand.
AJ Edu anchored a dominant show of force from Team Pilipinas' big men, as the Gilas juniors picked up their second straight win in Group B of the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.
The 6'5" Edu, who played meager minutes with fellow big man Kai Sotto, struck with 16 points and eight rebounds for Batang Gilas, which will next clash with China on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m.
Batang Gilas now shares the lead with China in Group B.
Their Chinese counterparts won over UAE, 118-87, last Sunday and then brushed aside Lebanon, 100-52.
The 7'2" Sotto had 14 points and eight rebounds for Batang Gilas, who moved a win away from an automatic quarterfinals seat.
Joshua Ramirez and Miguel Oczon got Batang Gilas off to a hot start.
Their triples put the Philippines in front at 10-0 in the last 8:05 of the first period.
From there, they went on to grab a 50-31 halftime edge off Gerry Abadiano's four-point play in the last 1:01.
With Sotto and Edu rested for the most of the second half by coach Josh Reyes as the team prepares for their game against China, Batang Gilas banked on Rhayyan Amsali and Xyrus Torres.
With Amsali and Torres taking over in the third with Dolph Panopio, Batang Gilas coasted to a 69-41 third-quarter spread.
The Philippines outrebounded UAE, 66-26.
Sean Dave Ildefonso's big effort of 19 points powered the Philippines to a 75-53 crushing of Lebanon for the team's first win.
The Scores:
PHILIPPINES 92 – Edu 16, Sotto 14, Amsali 13, Torres 12, Panopio 7, Abadiano 6, Cortez 6, Lina 6, Ramirez 5, Oczon 3, Chiu 2, Ildefonso 2.
UAE 49 – Alhashmi 18, Albreiki 11, Hussein 8, Ablooshi 4, Abloushi 4, Almaeeni 4, S. Alhammadi 0, Alhosani 0, Alketbi 0, Alsawan 0.
Quarterscores: 29-14, 50-31, 69-41, 92-49.