Gilas Youth drubs Korea, advances to FIBA Asia U16 quarters
Driven to make the world stage again, the Gilas Pilipinas Youth showcased an unrelenting performance to beat South Korea, 95–71 in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Doha Qatar on Thursday (early Friday morning in Manila).
A blistering 60–38 first half was all that the Philippines needed to pull away and advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow against Japan.
University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Cub Joaquin Ludovice dropped 25 points including seven triples and dished out five assists in the victory that pulled the young Gilas closer to the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Ludovice’s backcourt partner Kurt Velasquez backstopped him with 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while Kiefer Alas notched a double-double of 11 points and 13 boards.
Coach Josh Reyes’ boys played unselfishly, assisting 26 of their 37 made field goals. The team also controlled the glass, outrebounding Korea 57–35.
A win over Japan on Friday (early Saturday morning in Manila) will qualify the Philippines for the FIBA U17 World Cup next year.
FIBA.basketball photo
