ALLAN THE MAN

The Philippine national youth basketball team warded off Kazakhstan to grab an 86-74 victory in the classification round of the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championships Wednesday at the Al-Gharafa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Paul Desiderio led the Batang Gilas charge with 19 points as the Filipinos have the chance to finish as high as fifth in the tournament after getting knocked out of the quarterfinals last Tuesday.

Gilas Pilipinas vs. the World tune-up tour. Philippines vs. Dominican Republic. Ranidel de Ocampo's Hard Fouls Against Dominican Republic.

The United States completed their preparations for the upcoming World Cup with a 101-71 mauling of Slovenia on Tuesday that gave them a perfect record in warm-up games ahead of the 24-nation event in Spain.

Missing some top NBA talent who declined invitations to play in the Aug.30-Sept.14 tournament, the Americans were still too strong for the Slovenians after emphatic wins over Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

WATCH USA VS SLOVENIA GAME HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO BELOW:

The Philippine national men’s basketball team gave Dominican Republic a tough battle, 86-79, on Monday in its final tune-up game before the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Gilas Pilipinas competed with the 26th ranked Dominican Republic despite playing without star guard Jayson Castro, who continues to nurse an injury with under the a week remaining until the tournament.

WATCH GILAS PILIPINAS vs DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FULL GAME REPLAY VIDEO BELOW:

The Philippine national basketball team ended a streak of five consecutive losses with a confidence-boosting 74-65 victory over Egypt on Sunday in a tune-up game in Guadalajara, Spain.

With five days to go before the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas snapped a losing skid with a great effort against Egypt, the silver medalist in FIBA Africa, behind a 20-point performance from sniper Jeff Chan.

WATCH GILAS PILIPINAS vs EGYPT VIDEO BELOW:

Gilas Pilipinas vs. the World tune-up tour. Philippines vs. Dominican Republic. Japeth Aguilar MONSTER Block Against Dominican Republic.

Renowned trainer Freddie Roach said that he isn’t worried about Manny Pacquiao’s foray into the PBA on top of the Filipino boxing champion’s many activities outside the ring.

Pacquiao, now 35, officially became the playing coach of expansion team Kia Motors and the league’s oldest rookie after being selected 11th overall in the PBA Rookie Draft last Sunday.