For the second straight game, Gilas Pilipinas under-16 team barely broke out a sweat and waylaid its latest victim, Thailand, 85-49, to move a win away from sweeping the Southeast Asia Basketball Association Championship at GOR Kertajaya in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Second generation cager Kieffer Alas had once again presided on his team's offense, scattering 18 markers on a steady 6-of-11 shooting from the field.
But Alas, son of multi-titled coach Louie, and brother of Philippine Basketball Association star, Kevin of NLEX, was also a solid presence on the defensive end as he pulled down eight boards, dished out five assists and completed three steals in another all-around performance.
Kurt Velasquez tallied 12 markers and Joaquin Ludovice contributed 10 in another display of balance production for the young Gilas cagers coached by Josh Reyes and assisted by collegiate champion mentors Allan Albano of Far Eastern University and Allen Ricardo of Letran.
On Wednesday, the Filipinos will take on host Indonesia in the main game at 7 p.m. with Gilas, reigning champions of this tournament in the past four editions, looking to sweep the event and continue the country's dominance in this regional meet.