In an outcome that was never in doubt, Gilas Pilipinas Boys retained the Under-16 SEABA Championship for the sixth consecutive time, reaffirming their dominance in the region.
The hosts dismantled Indonesia, 70–40, on Friday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga, completing a clean sweep of the SEABA qualifiers for the upcoming FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup.
It was a dominant campaign from start to finish for Gilas, winning games by an average margin of 39.0 points. The gold-medal finish also marked a victorious coaching debut for LA Tenorio.
“Siyempre, masayang-masaya na we got this gold medal but more than me, it’s really the boys. Sobrang masaya ako para sa kanila,” said Tenorio.
“I’m just here to guide them at turuan sila, pero sila ang maglalaro at mag-iimprove everyday. I’m just happy na lahat ng pinapagawa ng coaching staff, nagagawa nila.”
Gab Delos Reyes of the University of the East was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after averaging 11.0 points, 8.83 rebounds, 3.83 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. In the final, the UAAP Season 87 Finals MVP put up 11 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and a steal to anchor the team on both ends.
Jhustin Hallare of UPIS led Gilas in scoring with 13 points, while other standouts included Andwele Cabanero (UST), Travis Pascual (NUNS), CP Miranda and Prince Cariño (FEU-Diliman), and Jolo Pascual (UE).
Completing the championship squad were Ethan Tan-chi, Jhello Lumague, Everaigne Cruz, Rayven Restificar, and Jeremiah Antolin.
(C) SBP
“I’m proud of the boys dahil marami silang sakripisyo dahil sa school schedule. At the end of the day, nandito pa rin sila,” added Tenorio.
“I also want to take the opportunity to thank the schools sa support na binigay nila sa atin. Sobra yung suporta na binigay nila sa amin.”
Unlike their tighter nine-point win over Indonesia in the group stage, Gilas came out blazing in the final, opening the game with a 21–5 run and extending the lead to as much as 34 points.
Despite the one-sided score, the Kapampangans in attendance stayed until the end, proudly cheering for the young nationals.
“Siyempre po masayang-masaya ako para sa lahat ng Kapampangan. Yung experience na naramdaman namin, ibang-iba po,” said Pampanga Vice Governor Delta Pineda.
The Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia — which defeated Thailand, 78–69, in the third-place game — will represent Southeast Asia in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup set to take place in Ulaanbaatar later this year.
Singapore and Vietnam finished in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
Vietnam’s Hoang Minh Khang Nguyen was named the Sportsmanship Awardee.
