Gilas Youth fell short of an automatic quarterfinal berth in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup after suffering an 85-54 defeat to New Zealand on Tuesday night at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Mongolia, forcing the Philippines into a do-or-die playoff against Bahrain for a spot in the final eight.
The FIBA U16 Asia Cup sees teams from around Asia competing for a chance to qualify for the World Championships. The tournament serves as a platform for young basketball players to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Gilas Youth, representing the Philippines, aimed to advance to the quarterfinals through a win over New Zealand but fell short. The team now aims to regroup and focus on their upcoming match against Bahrain.
The Filipinos, who were coming off a 65-60 victory against Indonesia on Monday, struggled to sustain their momentum. Jhustin Hallare led Gilas with 13 points, while Mark Jhello Lumagub added 11.
New Zealand, however, displayed balance and depth, with Liam Anthony Keogh finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds, and Lawson Pryor contributing 15 points.
New Zealand’s unbeaten run in the tournament continued with their victory over the Philippines. The team’s performance secured their position as group leaders, allowing them a direct quarterfinal berth.
Basketball fans anticipate the upcoming match between the Philippines and Bahrain, a decisive game for the Gilas Youth team. The outcome will determine their progression in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup.