BATANG Gilas banked on a solid second half led by Kai Sotto to blast Bahrain, 67-52, and secure a semifinals ticket in the 2018 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Under-18 Asian Championship at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Thursday.

Sotto, the 7’1 center, produced 10 of his 21 points in the third period on top of his 10 rebounds and three blocks, helping Batang Gilas to qualify also for the FIBA U-19 World Championship for the first time in 39 years. The last time the Philippines participated in the U-19 World Cup was in 1979 in Brazil.