Gilas Pilipinas Boys could not snap their losing streak, concluding the 2024 FIBA U-17 World Cup group phase winless.
The No. 25-ranked Philippines bowed down to the world’s 15th best U-17 squad, Puerto Rico, 98-53, to wrap up their Pool A run in the international tilt.
The Philippines showed signs of life early, going up 24-16.
However, Puerto Rico retaliated by holding Gilas to a total of 10 points in the second and third salvos, accumulating a total of 62-10 to end the third frame with a 78-34 lead.
Puerto Rico led by as much as 49 points, 92-41, over the Philippines, achieving this feat midway through the final frame.
Puerto Rico took advantage of Gilas’ 26 turnovers by converting 26 points on the latter’s errors.
The height-lacking Gilas got outrebounded by Puerto Rico by over 20 boards, 66-44.
Gilas Boys’ offense struggled for the third straight contest, only being able to shoot 24 percent from the field compared to Puerto Rico’s 43.2 percent.
Puerto Rico had five players in double digits, led by the 15-point performance of Jordan Dill, while the quartet of Vincent Stewart Jr., Jahrel Vigo, Rognny Santiago, and Justin Roman, combined for 41 markers.
The UST duo of Ludovice and Kurt Velasquez paced the Philippines in the loss with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Gilas Boys will take on world No. 1 USA in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.
The Scores:
Puerto Rico (98) – Dill 15, Stewart Jr. 11, Vigo 10, R. Santiago 10, Roman 10, M. Santiago, Quinones 7, Montes 6, Cruz 6, Rosa 6, Colon 4, Pino 4.
Philippines (53) – Ludovice 13, Velasquez 10, Amos 8, Daja 7, Banal 3, Chua 3, Alegre 3, De Liano 3, Diao 2, Morales 1, Arejola 0, Williams 0.
Quarterscores: 16-24, 48-30, 78-34, 98-53.
