Gilas Pilipinas Youth came up with a strong start and a stronger finish to pull off a 45-point demolition of Thailand, 87-42, to remain unscathed in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers late Sunday at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Filipinos sizzled early dropping 31 points while limiting the visitors to just a single marker in the opening period to dictate the tempo and set the stage for the merciless massacre before a good-sized crowd that included Gilas Pilipinas mentor Tim Cone.
Cone was in the stands to rally behind his Barangay Ginebra stalwart LA Tenorio, who is making his international debut as head coach of Gilas Youth squad.
Tenorio didn’t disappoint as his wards brushed off Thailand’s mini-rally in the second quarter to erect a 27-point lead entering the halftime break.
The home squad didn’t look back since then as Gab Delos Reyes and Prince Cariño asserted their might en route to the emphatic win that came at the heels of its 51-point crushing of Vietnam in the opener, 113-62.
“It’s really heartwarming to see him (Cone) watching us. Hopefully, this will not be the first and last,” said Cone, referring to the noted American mentor, who made the long drive to Pampanga a day after leading Barangay Ginebra to a scary 101-99 win over Blackwater in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Saturday.
Delos Reyes, the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines juniors Finals Most Valuable Player for University of the East, flirted with a double-double, firing 16 points and nine rebounds while Cariño chipped in 15 markers and seven boards to underscore the Filipinos depth and dominance.
Andwele Cabañero also delivered, finishing with 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists while Evareign Cruz chipped in 12 markers off the bench.
Nobody from Thailand breached the double-digit mark, but it drew its offense from Lorenzo Ravazzini and Nattachai Korkaewkulapat, who both finished with seven points.
With the win, the Filipinos have inched closer to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup berth that will be held in Mongolia this September. They are facing Singapore for their third straight win at press time.
The Thais, on the other hand, face a tough journey to the Asia Cup as they suffered their first loss following a 56-47 opening-day win over Malaysia.