Alicia Villanueva took charge in the second quarter, carrying Gilas Pilipinas Girls on her back and paving the way for a dominant 103-58 win over host Thailand to open their FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2024 SEABA Qualifiers bid on Friday evening at Ratchaburi Gymnasium.
This victory also punched their ticket to Division B of the continental meet next month set to take place in Shenzhen.
Malaysia and Indonesia have already qualified, leaving the winner of the contest vying for the last spot in the Asian meet.
Villanueva, a guard from National University-Nazareth School, scored nine of her 25 points in the second quarter. That helped turn a 24-16 lead at the end of the opening stanza into an insurmountable 52-30 cushion at the half.
The 18-year-old, hailing from Cagayan de Oro, went 9-of-14 from the field, adding six rebounds and two steals.
And her performance led the Philippines to their first win in the regional meet.
Villanueva was supported by the duo of Naomi Panganiban and Gabby Ramos, both scoring 16 points each. Panganiban also dished out seven assists, while Ramos hauled down nine rebounds.
(C) FIBA Asia/Kuk Thew
It was a dominant win for the Philippines, who led by as much as 45 points in the contest thanks to their 10 triples and 40-percent shooting from the field.
They also played hard-nosed defense that led to 28 turnovers and a horrid 0-of-22 clip from downtown for the hosts.
Every Filipina fielded scored in the contest, including seven points each from team captain Ava Fajardo and Ashlyn Abong. The team also got six points each from Sophia Canindo and Venice Quinte.
Natsuda Boonpech and Kleetawadee Oudnun were the sole bright spots for Thailand. Boonpech finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Oudnun chipped in 14 points.
In the other game of the day, Indonesia escaped Malaysia, 57-46.
The Filipinas and the Malaysians face off on Saturday at 3:00 PM.
The Scores:
Philippines 103 – Villanueva 25, Panganiban 16, Ramos 16, Fajardo 7, Abong 7, Canindo 6, Quinte 6, Rodriguez 5, Duenas 5, Impreso 4, Lapasaran 3, Reyes 3.
Thailand 58 – Boonpech 16, Oudnun 14, Sithisamang 9, Patthanauckkaranon 6, Damrongjit 6, Khamkaew 4, Kanram 3, Watthananonkasem 0, Matanboon 0, Pomsakunchai 0, Na Bhuket 0.
Quarterscores: 23-16, 52-30, 73-47, 103-58.
