Jeremiah Antolin and Gilas Pilipinas Youth coasted to a fifth win in as many games in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers and marched on to the finals on Friday, May 30.
It was business as usual for Gilas Pilipinas Youth on Thursday, May 29.
Just a day after being tested by rival Indonesia, the Nationals reasserted their might, this time against Malaysia, 96-61 in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.
Jeremiah Antolin produced more than what he was expected to, delivering 15 points and four rebounds at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center. He only averaged five points in their first four games.
Travis Pascual also wound up with 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists, and Prince Cariño added 13 markers for the Batang Gilas, who got back to blowing out their foes, banking on a 28-12 start to sweep their five elimination round games
Cariño and Everaigne Cruz helped set the tone for the Filipino dribblers early on, accounting for half of Gilas first quarter output.
Gilas pressed on the gas pedal harder in the second period and the teenage cagers took a commanding 55-29 lead entering the break.
They were never in any danger of squandering that advantage since then.
“Nagtiwala lang po kami sa mga sinasabi ng coaches, kaya dumepensa para sa laro namin bukas,” said Antolin, whose team set up a finale against the Indonesians.
Though already secured of the Asia Cup slot in Mongolia, Gilas is hell bent on copping the championship trophy in the final game set on Friday, May 30.
“Magdedepensa lang kami ng tama tsaka yung mga sinasabi samin paulit ilit ni coach LA (Tenorio), gagawin lang namin yun,” Antolin said.
Meanwhile, Jeremie Tan paced Malaysia (2-3) with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Fatt Kam Sing added 10 markers.