Gilas Pilipinas Boys completed a three-game sweep of the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship-SEABA Qualifiers on Wednesday evening at GOR Kertajaya in Surabaya, Indonesia.
But unlike their first two games, the Philippines needed a huge second-half surge to knock off Indonesia, taking a 77-65 victory to close out the regional meet.
Gilas, who defeated Malaysia and Thailand by an average of 39.0 points, needed to stave off the junior Timnas team that was trying to nab the other spot in the Asia Cup away from Thailand.
The young Pinoys were actually down 21-16 to end the opening salvo before Kieffer Alas took charge, giving his side a 38-32 lead at the half.
Kurt Velasquez took charge for Gilas Boys in the final frame, scoring seven of his 14 points in the final frame and helping the Philippines erect a 74-54 lead midway through the final frame.
Indonesia could not recover from the Filipino flurry it experienced to close out the game.
Alas led Gilas in scoring for the third straight game, finishing with 19 points to go with 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
CJ Amos added 14 points while Bonn Daja got 14 rebounds and nine points.
I Ketut Gede Bayu Prayoga Putra led Indonesia with 19 points while Hosea Yedija Setiawan added 17 markers.
Indonesia finished the tournament with a 1-2 slate, creating a triple tie with Malaysia and Thailand.
However, it’s Malaysia who will get the other ASEAN slot in the continental meet for owning a superior quotient over the other two nations, plus-3.
Indonesia ended up at third place.
The Scores:
Philippines 77 – Alas 19, Amos 14, Velasquez 14, Daja 9, Williams 5, Gomez 4, Morales 3, Chua 3, Hachuela 2, Ludovice 2, Espinas 2, Diao 0.
Indonesia 65 – Putra 19, Setiawan 17, Enrichia 10, Leonardy 9, Christiano 5, Boentara 3, Krisnanjaya 2, Sundinata 0, Rusli 0, Hendrawan 0, Dananjaya 0.
Quarterscores: 16-21, 38-32, 65-51, 77-65.
