Gilas Pilipinas Boys opened their SEABA title defense in dominant fashion, cruising past Vietnam with a commanding 113-62 victory to cap off the opening day of the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex.
It was the duo of Jolo Pascual and Travis Pascual who ignited the Philippines’ second-quarter breakaway.
After leading 29-20 at the end of the first period, the Pascuals spearheaded a 32-point explosion in the second quarter, combining for 15 points to stretch the Gilas lead to 61-33 at halftime.
Jolo, a guard from the University of the East, finished with 14 points on 50% shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Travis, a new recruit for National University Nazareth School, tallied 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
The young Filipinos kept their foot on the gas, extending the lead to as many as 51 points to close out the blowout win.
FEU-Diliman standout Prince Cariño contributed a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while UPIS’s Jhustin Hallare chipped in 10 points and five assists.
Jhello Lumagub added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Gab Delos Reyes filled the stat sheet with nine points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, posting a game-high plus-31 efficiency rating.
Vietnam was led by Hoang Minh Khang Nguyen and Le Cao Nguyen Nguyen with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Indonesia and Thailand also notched wins to share the early lead in the tournament, which offers three qualifying slots for the FIBA U16 Asia Cup.
Indonesia routed Singapore, 68-47, while Thailand edged Malaysia, 56-47.
Three Indonesian players scored in double figures: Kenzie Vincenzio led the way with 17 points and four rebounds, Gede Dio Naranatha added 11 points and seven boards, while Reiner Hadiputra chipped in 14 points.
Ronnie Allsopp paced Thailand with 17 points.
