Gilas Pilipinas Youth posted an impressive 78-72 win over Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka to secure the bronze medal in the Japan B.League U16 Challenge Cup at the Sumida City Gymnasium in Tokyo on Thursday.

Brielle Salazar converted a three-point play in the final 2:36 to ignite an 8-2 rally that shattered the 70-all count and gave the Filipinos the victory in this short invitational tournament that serves as a warmup for the SEABA U16 Championship next year.

Salazar, a playmaker from La Salle Green Hills, topscored with 18 points and three rebounds while skipper Sam Esomchi posted another double-double performance with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Hisham Mampao chipped in 11 markers.

On the other hand, Hiromichi Uchida led Rizing Zephyr with 23 points and seven rebounds.

“We’ve come a long way since forming this team just a month ago. But this is only the beginning for next year’s Gilas U16 program,” said Gilas U16 coach Andre Santos, one of the country’s promising young coaches as he serves as lead assistant of Juno Sauler in the U18 program and Yuri Escueta at San Beda University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Gilas opened its B.League campaign with a 91-81 victory over the Chiba Jets last Tuesday before absorbing a 66-73 loss to the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Wednesday.

Then, they beat the Tachikawa Dice, 105-79, to punch a ticket to the bronze medal match.