ETHAN Aguas scored a short stab with 2.2 seconds left to make sure Gilas Pilipinas Youth survived Chinese Taipei, 89-88, at the start of their FIBA U18 Asia Cup campaign in India.
Aguas made the marginal basket, as Gilas Youth nearly squandered a 27-point lead to open the tournament with a victory.
Carter Coleman converted a layup with 6.9 seconds left for Chinese Taipei’s first lead of the game, 88-87, after Sizco Roquid missed on a transition basket on the other end.
But the Filipinos got back the lead not long after thanks to the late heroics from Aguas after they already were up, 65-38, at one point in the third quarter.
Gilas gets it to go
Aguas finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while also helping save the efforts of teammates led by JB Cagurungan.
Cagurungan had 21 points, all from triples, to shoot the Philippines to the big lead. Prince Carino also had a near-double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds, Bruce Tubongbanua had 10 points, and Chog Moral had seven points and seven rebounds.
Gilas Youth will take on Australia fresh from a 102-32 victory over Thailand in its next game on Saturday.
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