Sana?A, Yemen?Kiefer Ravena scored with 44 seconds left as Nokia RP U-18 team edged out Syria, 61-60, on Thursday for its second win leading into the match against China in the Fiba Asia U-18 Championships here at the 22nd May court.

Ravena, son of former professional cager Bong, had a game high 19 points and four steals as the Philippine team, backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation, now carry a 2-0 Group C lead like China, which earlier whipped still-winless Saudi Arabia, 115-60, earlier also at the 22nd May court here.

Another second generation cager in Raphael Banal, son of Joel Banal, had a breakout game of 15 points followed by Gelo Alolino?s 13 markers. Alolino also had four assists while Russel Escoto and Jeron Teng accounted for 19 of the team?s 37 boards. The match against the Chinese is set at 11 am (4 pm, Manila time).

The Philippines shot better from the field with a 41 percent clip (23 of 56 attempts), 25 percent from three-point range (five of 20 tries) and 59 percent from the freethrow line (10 of 17).

?It was a character game for the boys going into the China game. Holding that lead until the last second really made the difference. The resiliency of the boys made a difference,? said head coach Eric Altamirano.

?The high-altitude conditions are still a challenge,? he said.? That, I think was the primary reason why we couldn?t sustain our speed and the pressure. But in the end I must say, after two games we are ready for the second round.?

Obida Al Samman led the Syrians with 15 points followed by 13 from Amer Al Sati and Muhammad Otabachi?s 12 markers. Otabachi scored Syria?s last basket at the 2:12 mark and a 60-59 lead before the Philippine defense has left them scoreless up to the very end.

The tournament dangles three tickets to the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship to be played in Latvia next year.