The worst has happened for Gilas Pilipinas Boys.
The Philippines finished dead last in the 16-nation FIBA Under-17 World Cup 2024 — the country’s worst finish in three appearances after absorbing a harsh 53-115 defeat at the hands of Australia on Sunday at Ahmet Comert Sports Hall in Turkey.
Gilas finished 15th in 2014 and 13th in 2018.
It was a winless run for the boys of Josh Reyes, suffering double-digit losses in all seven of their games in the tournament and losing with an average margin of 37.71 points per game.
During the group stages, Gilas lost to Lithuania, Spain, and Puerto Rico, with an average margin of 55.33 points per game.
In the round of 16, the Philippines was overpowered by Team USA, suffering a harsh 45-141 defeat, which dropped them to the classification stage.
Their classification game against Argentina was the closest the Philippines got in terms of losing margin, falling 67-83.
In their last two games, they fell to China, 85-66, and then to Australia.
It was a masterful performance for the Asia Cup champions, who raced to a 24-9 lead and never looked back.
The young Boomers continued to pour it on, gaining a lead that extended to as high as 62 points.
Australia went 4-3 in the tournament.
Dash Daniels and Nash Walker led the rout with 28 and 18 points, respectively, while Joel Robinson contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
It was a bitter end for this batch of Gilas Boys, who lost ace Kieffer Alas to a sprained left ACL a day before the competition.
Edryn Morales led the Philippines with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Joaquin Ludovice chipped in 10 points.
Other members of the team are Kurt Velasquez, CJ Amos, Irus Chua, Bonn Daja, Sam Alegre, Elijah Williams, Paul Diao, Noah Banal, Jaime Gomez de Liano, and late addition Champ Arejola.
The Scores:
Australia 115 – Daniels 28, Walker 18, Robinson 11, Dickeson 11, Akhuar 9, Beauchamp 8, Nyuon 8, Sewell 6, Pilimai 6, Cheesman 5, Kuany 5.
Philippines 53 – Morales 17, Ludovice 10, Chua 9, Daja 6, Velasquez 3, Alegre 2, Banal 2, Amos 2, Arejola 2, Diao 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Williams 0.
Quarterscores: 31-16, 56-27, 88-40, 115-53.
