Gilas Pilipinas Boys moved one win away from sweeping the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 SEABA Qualifiers following an 87-53 decimation of Thailand, Saturday at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Andy Gemao and Cabs Cabonilas were again on the forefront of the win with 19 and 17 points, respectively, but the bench guys did wonders as well this time to help the Philippine team get its second win in as many games.
Wacky Ludovice and Carl Manding lifted the squad in overcoming a narrow 15-17 deficit to finish the first quarter in their favor, 22-19.
The two then nailed a triple each to open the next frame, which would ignite the decisive 18-2 run – a run which Gemao and Cabonilas helped make happen – toward a 40-21 lead with 5:28 to go, breaking the game wide open.
Manding made 10 points, while Ludovice scored eight in the victory that was a tad similar to their 97-71 conquest of the hosts barely 24 hours ago.
Gilas will look to complete the sweep and seal its place in the tournament proper versus Indonesia on Sunday, July 21, at 4:00 PM.
Pongsaporn Srijan, meanwhile, finished with 10 points to lead Thailand, whose chances to advance became slimmer as it dropped to 0-2.
The four teams in this SEABA Qualifiers are competing for only two tickets to the U18 Asia Cup, which is set on September 2-9 in Amman, Jordan.
Twelve teams so far are assured of slots in the tilt, with reigning champions Korea set to represent East Asia with Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, and Mongolia. Australia and New Zealand will carry the fight for Oceania.
Iran and Lebanon booked their spots after reaching the WABA Qualifiers Final, making it three West Asia sides in the meet – including the hosts.
Kazakhstan and India earned theirs by ruling the CABA and SABA Qualifiers, respectively.
Aside from Southeast Asia, two more tickets via the Gulf Region are up for grabs in the GBA Qualifiers scheduled on July 29-August 2 in Kuwait.
The Scores:
Philippines (87) – Gemao 19, Cabonilas 17, Manding 10, Burgos 8, Ludovice 8, Esteban 7, Esperanza 7, Lorenzo 6, Santos 5, Medina 0, Castillejos 0, Hunter 0.
Thailand (53) – Srjian 10, Ciati 8, Juergensen 8, Pisamyuttanapong 6, Saleewan 6, Barwisch 5, Sae Lu 3, Prakaylerdluk 3, Sophawan 2, Hines 2, Sela 0, Samana 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19, 46-29, 73-45, 87-53.
