Gilas Pilipinas Youth came up with a strong start and a stronger finish to pull off a 45-point demolition of Thailand, 87-42, to remain unscathed in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers late Sunday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Filipinos sizzled early dropping 31 points while limiting the visitors to just a single marker in the opening period to dictate the tempo and set the stage for the merciless massacre before a good-sized crowd that included Gilas Pilipinas mentor Tim Cone.

Cone was in the stands to rally behind his Barangay Ginebra stalwart LA Tenorio, who is making his international debut as head coach of Gilas Youth squad.

Tenorio didn’t disappoint as his wards brushed off Thailand’s mini-rally in the second quarter to erect a 27-point lead entering the halftime break.

The home squad didn’t look back since then as Gab delos Reyes and Prince Cariño asserted their might en route to the emphatic win that came at the heels of its 51-point crushing of Vietnam in the opener, 113-62.