MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas Youth completed a sweep of the FIBA U-18 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers after an 87-64 rout of Indonesia on Sunday afternoon at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Apl McAndrei Gemao led the way with 29 points, including four three-point conversions, to go with 12 rebounds, and eight assists as the Gilas Pilipinas Youth wrapped up the qualifiers with 3-0 win-loss record.
Wilhalm Lawrence Cabonillas added 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Charles Esteban contributed 10 points and three rebounds for the Gilas Pilipinas Youth.
For finishing on top after the three-day qualifying tournament, the Josh Reyes-mentored Gilas Pilipinas Youth earned their slot in the 2024 FIBA U-18 Asia Cup scheduled from September 2 to 9 in Jordan.
Both teams traded leads early in the opening period with Gilas Pilipinas Youth holding to a slim 22-20 lead before they pulled away with five straight points from Gemao and a basket from Esteban for a 29-22 advantage.
Gilas Pilipinas Youth continued their run in the second quarter behind Gemao, Mark Esperanza, and Nicholash Lorenzo for a 39-24 edge before it grew further to 50-31 at the half on inside conversions from Cabonillas and Esteban.
Team Philippines went on to widen the advantage further in the second half with their inside and outside conversions as the lead grew to as high as 27 points at 78-51 on a basket by Gemao.
Cliffton Wijaya was the lone double-digit scorer for Indonesia with 12 points, Halmaheranno Aprianto Lolaru Hady chipped in nine markers. They dropped to 2-1 record.
Prior to their lopsided win over Indonesia, Gilas Pilipinas Youth first prevailed over host Malaysia, 97-71, on Friday night before following it up with an 87-53 domination over Thailand on Saturday.
Other members of Gilas Pilipinas Youth are Carl Vincent Manding, Joaqui Ludovice, Marc Daniel Burgos, John Earl Medina, Justin Ellsworth Hunter, Stephen Hans Castillejos, and Jericho Riley Santos./PN
BOX SCORE:
PHILIPPINES 87 – Gemao 29, Cabonillas 16, Medina 14, Esteban 10, Lorenzo 7, Manding 5, Esperanza 2, Santos 2, Hunter 2, Burgos 0, Ludovice 0, Castillejos 0.
INDONESIA 64 – Wijaya 12, Hady 9, Yudha 8, Kristanto 8, Putra 8, Sundinata 4, Putera 4, Boentara 3, Aritonang 3, Alex 2, Auliarirzal 2, Krisnanjaya 1.
Quarterscores: 29-22, 50-31, 68-47, 87-64.
