KUALA LUMPUR — Tiffany Reyes nailed the game-winner to lift the Philippines past Korea in a thrilling 77-75 encounter, marking a historic breakthrough in the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup 2025 on Wednesday at the Karisma Arena here.
Celebrating her 15th birthday, the 6-foot-1 guard gave the program its most precious gift yet by calmly sinking a buzzer-beating jumper, sealing Gilas Girls’ first-ever victory in Division A.
Reyes finished with 16 points, half of which came in the fourth quarter. The second-generation hooper helped build a 69-60 cushion with 6:31 left before capping the night with her late-game heroics.
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With the win, the Philippines secured third place in Group A with a 1-2 record. It advances to the Qualification to the Semifinals on Friday, where they will face the No. 2 seed from Group B, either Japan or China.
Ella Smith paced the Philippines with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Ruiza Olmos added 12 points and seven boards.
Olmos tied the game at 75-all after splitting her free throws with 10.3 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Reyes’ heroics. Though Olmos missed her second attempt, Reyes grabbed the offensive rebound to keep the play alive.
In the ensuing sequence, Makena Ramos received the baseline inbound from Zia Onate, dribbled left, and found Reyes. With a pump fake to shake off her defender, Reyes stepped inside the arc and drilled the jumper for the win.
The entire Gilas bench erupted in celebration, while the Korean squad was left dejected, closing their group stage campaign winless at 0-3.
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Lim Seun tallied a game-high 31 points and eight rebounds, while Kim Damhee notched a double-double of 26 points and 12 boards for Korea, which will now play in the Classification 7-8 match on Friday to avoid relegation.
There, they will face the last-placed team from Group B — an unfamiliar situation for a program that has won four medals in past editions, most recently a bronze in 2022 after defeating New Zealand.
