BENGALURU (India) - Mongolia and Malaysia will slug it out one last time as the two surprise teams of the FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship 2022 Division B arranged a meeting in the Final.

Pooled in Group B at the start of the tournament, both are set for a collision course anew after topping their respective foes in an action-packed Semi-Finals, Saturday night at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium.

The Malaysians were the first to clinch the ticket to the title bout following their 66-65 overtime victory over the erstwhile-unbeaten Philippines.

Sammi Tan came through in the clutch, nailing the go-ahead floater off a Yun Enn Ng dime with 10 seconds left that dashed Gilas Youth's aspirations of gaining a shot at being promoted to Division A. Tan finished with 7 points.

Jia Huey Yun top-scored for Malaysia with 14 points. Xiao Qi Teh tallied 13 points and 5 rebounds, as Elaine Chong Hui Lin almost registered a double-double output with 9 points and 10 rebounds.

Kate Colyn Bobadilla had 19 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Philippines. She could've completed their rally from 12 down when she put her side up, 65-64, with 40 ticks remaining, until Tan dealt the finishing blow on the other end.

The Mongolian cagers, on the other hand, went on to finalize the championship match after surviving Samoa in another down-the-wire affair, 65-64.

Bolor Erdene Battsooj led the way with 19 points. Nyamjav Nandinkhusel produced 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Enkhbuyan Enkhbayar made 13 markers as the trio came up with huge performances in the win.

But it was Nyamsetseg Batjargal who sank the most important basket of the match, nailing the jumper that put them ahead with 1:03 left. The Samoans faltered afterwards as they missed key free throws and committed turnovers inside the final 50 seconds.

Batjargal finished with 6 points and 6 rebounds for Mongolia, who will head into the Final still unscathed with a 4-0 record overall, with one of their wins at the expense of Malaysia, 72-57, in the group stage.

Malia Jae Ruud had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Kira-May Filemu made 16 markers and 12 boards for Samoa, who will face the Philippines in the Third-Place Game on Sunday, right before the battle for Division A promotion.

Meanwhile, Thailand finished the tournament in fifth place following a masterful 61-43 conquest of Jordan in the classification match.

Laksamee Hewchaiyaphum led the Thai hoopers with all-around numbers of 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. Rotratsamee Sinlapawisut added 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in the victory.

Hind Jumah led Jordan with 12 points and 8 rebounds in the defeat, with Phoena Dadson backing her up with 9 points and 9 boards.

TOP PERFORMERS
Nyamjav Nandinkhusel (MGL) 27 EFF 18 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 blocks
Malia Jae Ruud (SAM) 24 EFF 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 40:00
Kate Colyn Bobadilla (PHI) 20 EFF 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Liane Ashley Loon (PHI) 19 EFF 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals
Laksamee Hewchaiyaphum (THA) 17 EFF 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

FIBA