Gilas Pilipinas’ boys team bounced back in a big way, routing Kazakhstan, 83-60, to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, Thursday at Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall in Doha, Qatar.
Coming off a stinging 67-73 loss to the Akatsuki Five just two days ago, Gilas stepped on the pedal early and never looked back.
However, waiting in the wings in the next round are defending champions Crocodiles. The game which has a ticket to the FIBA Under-17 World Cup at stake will be on Friday afternoon (Manila time).
And they had a good warm-up in this tilt.
The young Pinoys raced to a 17-8 lead to start the game and pushed it to 53-35 at the half.
Behind their suffocating defense that limited the Kazakhs to just a 35 percent shooting clip from the field and 19 percent from distance, Gilas led by as many as 35 points multiple times in the second half.
Compared to their game against Japan, Gilas Youth moved the ball better in the contest, dishing out 20 assists. Moreover, they outmuscled Kazakhstan at the board, 64-37.
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Citrus Valley’s Renzo Competente led the way for Gilas with 15 points and six rebounds.
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Valley Christian’s Jacob Bayla tallied 13 points, nine rebounds, six steals, and three assists while Al Red’s Zain Mahmood got 10 points and six rebounds. Manasquan’s Alex Konov also produced 11 points and five rebounds.
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Stewart Creek’s Caelum Harris, meanwhile, did all of the little things, tallying nine rebounds, seven assists, and five points.
Daniil Severgin was a one-man show for the Kazakhs, tallying 24 points, nine rebounds, and seven steals. Zhangir Dyussenov supported him with 17 points, four rebounds, and four steals.
The Scores:
Philippines 83 – Competente 15, Bayla 13, Mahmood 12, Porter 12, Konov 11, Gemao 7, Bahay 4, Jones 3, Harris 3, Nieto 2, Reyes 1, Romero 0.
Kazakhstan 60 – Severgin 24, Dyussenov 17, Kuantayev 10, Mukhazhanov 4, Maksot 3, Marat 2, Aitkulov 0, Khangereyev 0, Muratuly 0, Yessimkhan 0, Aukesh 0, Samoilov 0.
Quarterscores: 26-17, 53-35, 73-51, 83-60.
