The vaunted firepower of Gilas Pilipinas Youth was on full display as it crushed Vietnam by 51 points, 113-62, in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers late Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando City in Pampanga.
Five players — bannered by the Pascual duo of Travis and Jolo — made a strong impression in the Filipinos’ impressive victory in the opening salvo of this tourney that offers a ticket to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia this September.
A new recruit for National University-Nazareth School, Travis tallied 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting while joining forces with Jolo in igniting a 32-point explosion in the second period to help the home squad turn a close first quarter into a comfortable 61-33 halftime lead.
The Filipinos then kept their foot on the pedal in the third and fourth quarters en route to posting the masterful 51-point triumph.
They are battling Thailand at press time for a victory that will inch them closer to the coveted Asia Cup spot.
“We’ve adjusted our defense because Vietnam was employing transition plays on us,” said Travis, who also tallied four of Gilas Pilipinas’ 24 total steals.
Jolo, who plays for University of the East, chipped in 14 markers, three rebounds, four assists and four steals while Far Eastern University standout Prince Cariño submitted 16 markers and 12 caroms to give LA Tenorio his first coaching victory in the international stage.