Team USA remains unparalleled in youth basketball, showcasing their dominance against Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ in the 2024 FIBA Under-17 World Cup.
The Philippines could not keep pace with the defending six-time champions succumbing to a resounding 141-45 defeat that ended their contention in the tournament on Wednesday evening at Ahmet Comert Sports Hall in Turkey.
This was the second time in program history that Gilas Pilipinas Boys experienced firsthand the sheer power, blistering speed, and overwhelming talent of Team USA.
The last encounter between the Philippines and the USA at this level was in the 2014 edition, featuring notable players like Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, and Harry Giles for Team USA.
Meanwhile, the likes of the Nieto twins, Paul Desiderio, Jolo Mendoza, and Diego Dario played for the Philippines.
USA also won that game, 124-64.
This time around, this batch of Team USA is much more aggressive.
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Team USA wasted no time establishing dominance, racing to a 24-5 lead early on and maintaining control throughout the game.
By the end of the opening salvo, USA had amassed 43 points compared to Gilas’ 13.
It was all USA from there as their express never put their foot off the pedal.
By the 2:34 mark of the third quarter, Team USA breached the century mark after a Caleb Holt triple. On the other hand, the Philippines only had 30 points at that time.
Filipino-American guard JJ Mandaquit started for USA, contributing four points and eight assists, with eight players reaching double-digit scoring.
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Cameron and Cayden Boozer led the charge for USA, with Cameron scoring 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting and Cayden adding 12 points and nine assists.
NBA prospect Koa Peat also impressed with 22 points on 11-of-13 shooting and seven rebounds.
Gilas, who also lost all three of their group phase games by an average margin of 55.33 points per game, will drop to the 9–16th classification playoffs which begins on Thursday.
UST guard Joaquin Ludovice was the high point man for the Philippines with 15 points on two three and seven free throws. CJ Amos added 10 markers.
The Scores:
USA 141 – Peat 22, Boozer Cam. 20, Haralson 16, Holt 14, Cenac 14, Boozer Cay. 12, Stokes 12, McCoy 11, Smith 9, Dybantsa 7, Mandaquit 4, Toombs 0.
Philippines 45 – Ludovice 15, Amos 10, Diao 7, Morales 6, Daja 5, Williams 2, Velasquez 0, Alegre 0, Banal 0, Gomez de Liano 0, Chua 0, Arejola 0.
Quarterscores: 43-13, 80-23, 106-35, 141-45.
