Gilas survives Indonesia for 1st win in FIBA U16 Asia Cup

Sports

GILAS Pilipinas Boys needed to hang tough in the endgame before escaping Indonesia, 65-60, for their first win in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup on Monday night, September 1, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Jolo Pascual and Prince Cariño pumped in crucial points that helped the World No. 31 Gilas bounce back from a big flop in its opening assignment that saw them lose badly to 51st-ranked Chinese Taipei, 82-106.

With the Nationals hanging on to a precarious 57-60 lead, Pascual knocked down a three-pointer with 33.7 seconds left. The Indonesians, ranked 89th, moved within 60-63 before Cariño scored on a layup that sealed the deal for Gilas.

Improving to 1-1 (win-loss), Gilas will end its group stage assignment against New Zealand at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2.

New Zealand leads Group B with a clean 2-0 slate.

Ethan Tan-Chi led Gilas with 12 points and five rebounds. Jolo Pascual pitched in 11 markers and five assists while Andwele Cabanero added 10 markers, five rebounds, and four steals.

THE SCORES:

PHILIPPINES (65) – Tan-Chi 12, J. Pascual 11, Cabanero 10, Lumague 9, Cariño 6, T. Pascual 5, Orca 4, Hallare 4, Restificar 2, Cruz 1, Antolin 1, Delos Reyes 0.

INDONESIA (60) – Firdaus 13, Christiano 13, Hernusi 8, Sebastian 7, Al Hadi 6, Kharisma 5, Naranatha 3, Yabe 3, Gilbert 2, Sasongko 0.QUARTERSCORESs: 17-20; 36-30; 51-48; 65-60.(CCM)