GILAS Pilipinas Youth progressed to the qualification to the quarterfinal round of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, defeating Thailand, 91-62, on Monday in Ahmedabad, India.
The Philippines overcame a shaky first half to finish Group A at second place with a 2-1 win-loss record and a spot in the qualification to the quarterfinals where they will face the third placer in Group C, still to be determined.
The Nationals had to step up after being down by as many as 12 points against winless Thailand in the first half.
Luke Atacador had 16 points, while George Green and Elias Gish each chipped in 15 points to bring the offense for Gilas U18 in the second half. Chog Moral also had 12 points.
Gish joined forces with Moral and Ethan Aguas to break a 50-50 tie in the third quarter with a 21-0 blast to end the period with a 71-50 lead.
Gilas Youth scored 12 straight points and held Thailand scoreless in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter for an 83-50 lead.
Games in Group B are still being played, as of posting time, with Syria or Lebanon as the Philippines’ likely opponent.
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