Gilas Pilipinas Youth were able to register their first win at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup after a tough challenge from Indonesia.
Gilas Pilipinas Youth barged into the win column of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup as they survived a challenge from Indonesia, 65-60, in their Group B matchup at the MBank Arena in Mongolia on Monday.
The Gilas U16 seized the lead in the second quarter and led all the way to the end despite Indonesia’s best efforts in coming back, the closest being a 53-all tie with 7:35 left in regulation after a Marshall Farez Al Hadi split at the line.
Luisito Joel Pascual drilled the dagger three with 38 seconds remaining to make it 63-57 for Gilas, giving his team the breathing room to survive.
Despite an and-one opportunity giving Indonesia some semblance of life in the last seconds of the game, time just wasn’t on their side as they were forced to foul.
Even as Ethank Tan-Chi botched his free throws and left the door open for a possible game-tying triple, a crucial play from Prince Cariño sealed the victory as he got the offensive rebound and converted on the second chance basket to get to the final score in the last eight seconds.
Tan-Chi was Gilas’ top scorer with 12 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal as the Filipinos leveled their record at 1-1.
Pascual added 11 markers, five assists, and one steal while Nickson Cabañero had an all-around game of 10 points, five rebounds, and four steals.
Late-game hero Cariño had six points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three blocks.
Miracle Christiano and Muhamad Fakhrizal Firdaus paced Indonesia in the losing effort with 13 points each.
Coach by LA Tenorio, the Gilas U16 will face off against New Zealand next.