WATCH: Philippines vs Syria [2022 FIBA U18 Asia Championship | August 21, 2022]

Lebanon showed no quit as they came from behind and stunned Iran, 65-63, to start off their FIBA U19 Asian Championship 2022 campaign on a high note, Sunday night at the Azadi Basketball Hall.

Karim Rtail came through with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while Bryan Mansour added 10 markers as the two joined hands to lead the Cedars’ fightback from a 13-point deficit towards the early leadership in Group A.

The Philippines then shared Group C leadership with Chinese Taipei following a masterful showing against Syria, 112-48, in the third game of the day.

Mason Amos powered Gilas Youth with 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting in the win that saw them establish a 35-7 lead after the first 10 minutes. They went on to lead by as many as 71 points late in the match.

Seven Gagate and EJ Abadam finished with 19 points each, as Joshua Coronel added 10 markers for the young Filipinos, who earned the country their second biggest winning margin in a FIBA youth event.

Then came the down-the-wire affair between Lebanon and Iran which the latter ultimately won — much to the shock of the home team.

And it’s safe to suggest that it was the young Cedars’ first win over Team Melli in the U18, or just their second ever in the youth level to make it all the more gratifying for a program that’s been enjoying a successful summer thus far.

The scores:

Philippines 112 — Amos 26, Abadam 19, Gagate 19, Coronel 9, Demisana 8, Porter 8, Gamber 6, Bahay 6, Alao 3, Pablo 3, Nacua 2, Andres 1.

Syrua 48 — Kastntin 12, Khantoumani 7, Alfarouk 6, Eid 5, Essa 5, Harami 5, Mousa 3, Dabdoob 2, Ibrahim 2, Al Hajji 1, Aldassouki 0, Tallaj 0.

Quarterscores: 35-7, 53-16, 87-24, 112-48.