Young Gilas bags SEABA title

Gilas Pilipinas Youth displayed their dominant form as they hammered a 70-40 victory over Indonesia to secure the title of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers late Friday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

After posting a scary eight-point win in the eliminations last Wednesday, the Filipino dribblers were in control from start to finish en route to a 30-point massacre to formally secure the regional title.

But more than that, Gilas Youth’s impressive showing gave it one of the three tickets to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup that will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia this August. Also making it to the continental meet were runner-up Indonesia and Malaysia, which bagged the bronze medal.

The Filipinos were so dominant right from the opening tip that they led by as many as 34 points to complete the sweep in which they posted an average winning margin of 39 points in six matches.

But Gilas coach LA Tenorio asserted that crushing their opponents wasn’t part of their plan.

“I always tell the boys that we’re not here to blow out games,” said Tenorio, who made an impact in his first ever international coaching assignment.

“We’re here to prepare, to trust the process and do the right things, which are the fundamentals that we always teach them. I’m happy that they executed what they learned in training.”

Gab delos Reyes dropped a double-double performance, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds with four assists to emerge as Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday raved about the young dribblers’ triumph.

“A big salute to Gilas Pilipinas Youth!”Marcos wrote on X, accompanied by a basketball and Philippine flag emoji.

The President highlighted the exceptional skill and determination of young Filipinos.

“Congratulations on your dominant 6–0 run and the gold medal at the U-16 SEABA Qualifiers. A clear testament that the talent and determination of the Filipino youth are unmatched,” Marcos added.