By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Gilas Pilipinas Boys rode on a blistering start and never looked back to maul Thailand, 87-42, in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga on Sunday, May 25.
The wards of head coach LA Tenorio came out guns blazing on the offense and rock solid on the other end as a 31-1 first quarter count set the tone for the rout that put the hosts atop the early standings with 2-0 record.
Gilas actually held the visiting Thais scoreless for more than nine minutes in the first quarter – highlighted by a good three-minute stretch where the Filipinos’ pressure defense forced Thailand to consecutive turnovers and even failing to cross the halfcourt line on multiple possessions.
Gab Delos Reyes was often a beneficiary of the Gilas’ suffocating defense, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds while frontcourt partner Prince Carino added 15 points and seven rebounds.
Evareign Cruz had 12 and Nickson Cabanero with 10 while Travis Pascual, after leading the scoring in the last game, was content facilitating this time with all-around numbers of six points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
No Thai player finished in double-figures with Ananda Jaeger being the team’s best scorer with eight.
Gilas tries to go 3-0 when it takes on the still winless Singapore on Monday, May 26.
Singapore earlier lost to Vietnam, 83-89, while Indonesia also improved to 2-0 with a 67-45 win over Malaysia.
