Gilas Youth suffers 31-point beating against New Zealand in FIBA U16 Asia Cup

MANILA, Philippines, September 3 ------ Gilas Pilipinas Youth wrapped up the group phase of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup with a 1-2 record after suffering an 85-54 beating at the hands of New Zealand at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Mongolia.

Fresh from a 65-60 win against Indonesia on Monday, September 1, the LA Tenorio-coached Gilas Youth had no answers for unbeaten New Zealand from start to finish as the Junior Tall Blacks immediately built a 15-1 separation over the Philippines eight minutes into the ball game. Back-to-back baskets by Everaigne Cruz and Prince Cariño at the end of the first quarter pulled the Filipinos within 10 points heading into the next period, 7-17, but that was the closest they could get the rest of the way as New Zealand opened the second frame on another massive 11-2 blast for a 28-9 cushion with 6:59 to play in the opening half.

New Zealand eventually ended the contest with its biggest lead at 31 points as it held the Philippines to a dismal 19-of-73 clip from the field (26%), while hitting 26 of its 63 attempts on the other end (41.3%). The much-bigger Junior Tall Blacks also dominated the Filipinos in the rebounding department, grabbing 61 boards compared to the Philippines’ 34. Five players scored in double figures for New Zealand in the wire-to-wire rout, with Liam Anthony Keogh leading the way with a game-high 17 points.

For the Philippines, Jhustin Hallare carried the fight with 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting, followed by Jhello Lumague’s 11 markers. Cariño tallied a near double-double in the loss with 9 points and 8 rebounds. Gilas Youth’s chances of making it to the next round is now hanging in the balance as it awaits the winner between Chinese Taipei (1-1) and Indonesia (0-2) in the final matchup of Group B. Only the top three teams in each group will advance, with New Zealand (3-0) already assured of a quarterfinal spot, while the No. 2 and 3 squads slug it out in the qualification to the quarterfinals.

Source: rappler.com