Gilas braces for war vs Indonesia

Gilas Pilipinas Youth will gun for its fourth straight victory when it battles fellow unbeaten Indonesia in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers on Wednesday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Filipinos tipped to go all out against the regional powerhouse not just for a perfect record but also for the mental edge heading into the finale on Friday.

Based on the tournament format, the top two teams at the end of the single-round elimination will clash for the crown – and the chance to see action in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia in September – on Friday at the same venue.

The Indonesians have been making heads turn after sweeping its first three matches in the eliminations. Their last win – a 70-62 decision over Thailand – put their fighting spirit and ability to perform well under pressure on full display.

But the Filipinos are on a different level.

They entered a one-day break on Tuesday fresh off an impressive 64-point domination of Singapore, 101-37, late Monday to send a strong statement that they are determined to win the title.

The Filipinos delivered a strong start by limiting the Singaporeans to just seven points with 10 turnovers in the opening quarter to set the stage for the ruthless massacre, which serves as their highest winning margin in this prestigious regional tourney.

Before its 64-point domination of Singapore, Gilas Youth annihilated Vietnam by 51, 113-62, and Thailand by 45, 87-42, to post an average winning margin of 53 points in their first three matches.