By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Gilas Pilipinas U18 women’s team whipped Indonesia, 73-37, and completed a grand sweep of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers held over the weekend at the Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Thailand.
NU-Nazareth’s Alicia Villanueva led Gilas’ torrid assault in the second quarter to turn what started to be a tight contest into a walk in the park as they ripped the game wide apart to cap its dominant showing in the four-country, three-day event.
Given Gilas’ status – not to mention its pedigree – the rout was expected.
The Nationals warned their rivals of their desire to win the event by clobbering host Thailand, 103-58, before crushing Malaysia, 100-68.
They topped the event with a winning average of 37 points per contest.
Villanueva registered 13 points and 10 rebounds while Tiffany Reyes, daughter of former PBA player Jay-R, had 9 points.
Gabby Ramos Aubrey Lapasaran also did well by scattering 8 points apiece and skipper Ava Fajardo added seven.
The Nationals started slow and cold, leading only by 3, 14-11, at the end of the opening quarter.
But they shifted their gears in the next frame, unloading a 16-4 run for a commanding 35-19 lead which was enough to flatten the Indonesians.
Ratu Poedjakesuma paced the Indonesian with 10 points while Joanne Giovanni chipped in nine in a losing cause.
Next for the Filipinas is FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B which opens next month in Shenzen, China.
