GILAS Pilipinas Youth opened its FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers campaign with a rousing 97-71 win over host Malaysia on Friday at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Former NCAA Finals MVP Andy Gemao had 17 points, while Far Eastern University player Wilhalm Cabonilas finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks as Gilas Youth won comfortably after a shaky start.
The Philippines finally got into rhythm when it outscored Malaysia, 28-7, in the second quarter, pulling away for good after the host country came to within two points, 23-21, at the end of the first.
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Gilas led by as many as 28 points behind a running game that produced 33 fastbreak points compared to Malaysia's 10.
Gilas started the game with eight straight points but Malaysia was able to keep the game close until Gemao and Cabonilas took over in the second.
Joaquin Ludovice, fresh from his stint in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Istanbul, contributed 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists, as Marc Burgos tallied 10 points and 11 boards for Gilas Youth, which goes up against Thailand on Saturday, 4 p.m. at the MABA Stadium.
The Philippines is gunning for the lone spot for SEABA in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup to be played in September in Amman, Jordan.
The scores:
Philippines 97 – Gemao 17, Cabonilas 16, Ludovice 11, Burgos 10, Esteban 10, Manding 9, Lorenzo 8, Medina 8, Esperanza 3, Santos 3, Castillejos 2, Hunter 0.
Malaysia 71 – Chua 14, Teng 13, J. Ng 11, Kho 10, Khoo 10, Chia 6, Siow 3, Oh 2, Siew 2, Z. Ng 0, Tan 0, Chen 0.
Quarters: 23-21; 51-28; 76-52; 97-71.
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