The hour of reckoning is upon LA Tenorio’s Gilas Pilipinas Youth — whether it gets hailed best team in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers or come down as one that fell short of its promised potential.
Indonesia, vanquished once but in all certainty not bowed, gets another crack at undefeated host Philippines when the two countries clash for the gold medal at 7 p.m. Friday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas Youth dismantle Malaysia, sweep SEABA Qualifiers elims to set up finals vs Indonesia]
While both teams, and Thailand most probably, have earned passage as early as Wednesday to the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia in July, representing Southeast Asia, the Philippines needed the closing minutes of their preliminary match to put away Indonesia 77-68 in the battle between two unbeaten teams (3-0).
Only four points separated both teams at one instance even late in the game.
But that part of a brewing rivalry is behind them. And with slots to the U16 Asia Cup tournament proper now secured, the fight for bragging rights as the region’s best in that age level is now on.
Indonesia (4-1) stepped up to the plate first.
In remaining preliminary round games Thursday, Thailand sealed Singapore’s winless campaign with an 89-83 victory, while Indonesia revved up for a blockbuster rematch with the Philippines by making light work of Vietnam 74-51, staying fresh for the colossal clash ahead.
It was 26-13 after the first quarter and the Indonesians crushed any flickering hopes that remained for the Vietnamese by handily taking the third period as well 20-6.
While Indonesia appeared to be in top form against Vietnam, the Philippines had another slow start, allowing the Malaysians to hang on at 7-all before dropping a 13-0 bomb that blew the game open.
It was 28-12 after 10 minutes, with the Gilas Youth nonetheless in clear need of improved transition game and less vulnerability against aggressive offense, both characteristics of the Indonesian brand of play.
The Nationals’ overall mental reaction may also benefit from some recalibration as evidenced in one play when Malaysian forward Fatt Kam Sing missed two free throws but ended up with an uncontested putback after no Gilas Youth player placed a body on the shooter and none picked up the ball off the floor.
Overall, however, the hosts, who basked in their fourth blowout win, had enough comparative individual talent that compensated for lapses and overwhelmed the competition.
Halftime score was 55-29, and 75-46 at three quarters end.
Tenorio was seen going through the game stats after the game and shaking his head.
“Our turnovers (20), even though we won that much and had 27 assists, still it’s our mistakes that concerns me,” he said.
“I’m not worried about them scoring, they can score anytime. It’s about them playing within the system, that’s the challenge.”
The final game against Indonesia has been given sufficient importance by the team, Tenorio said.
“Tong game pa lang na ‘to, at halftime, we had to remind the players that they were playing at the level that is not for the final,” Tenorio said. “We have to be able to compete at the highest level, the level where we can compete in the final tomorrow.”
Six players were in double figures for Gilas Youth — 15 points each for Travis Pascual and Jeremiah Antolin, 14 for Evereigne Cruz, 13 with 11 rebounds for Prince Carino, and 10 points apiece for Luisito Pascual and Mark Lumagub.
Ethank Tan-Chi had six assists, Travis Pascual 5 and Chris Paul Miranda 4. Luisito Pascual contributed 5 steals.
Australia has reigned supreme in the last three stagings of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup — China in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 and 2023 — and likely will be the team to beat once more.
Among those in the home crowd were Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard E. Bachmann, former PBA star forward Ranidel de Ocampo and SBP grassroots development program head Norman Black.
De Ocampo, who suited up for the Philippine Under 20 team that placed sixth in the ABC Youth Championship in Doha, Qatar in 2000, said the current U16 squad could learn a lot from international exposure.
“Kailangan nila ng maraming laro, more experience, at sa abroad, sa training camp, makukuha nila yon, mas okey yon,” said De Ocampo, a member of the SEABA champion national team with elder brother Yancy, Marc Pingris and Ervin Sotto under coach Boyzie Zamar.
“Tutal maraming nagi-sponsor ngayon. Dito tayo dapat mamuhunan, mag-invest, sa grassroots.”