Gilas boys beat Malaysia by 76 points

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas boys booked a return trip to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup after reaching the final of the SEABA Qualifiers with a whopping 130-54 victory over Malaysia yesterday in Krabi, Thailand.

The Nationals shattered the gates wide open right off the bat, 32-11, on their way to the eye-popping 76-point win in the semifinals.

Gilas is coming off equally massive wins against Vietnam, 121-28, Singapore, 110-50, and Thailand, 98-63, in the group stage.

Gilas will face either host Thailand or Indonesia in the finale but is already assured of a ticket to the Asia Cup since two slots for Southeast Asia are reserved for the Asian youth tourney slated in India in August.

All 12 players scored for the wards of coach Juno Sauler led by Jan Bennett Cagurungan of Far Eastern U-Diliman with 26 points on seven triples in only 18 minutes of play.

Ace center Prince Cariño, also from FEU-D, added 21 points in 14 minutes while Joaquin Mikhail Tovera, Louis James Razon, Ethan Matthew Aguas and Andrew Xavier Chio chipped in 15, 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Gilas finished 10th in the 2024 edition of the continental youth joust, looking to treat the SEABA qualifiers as part of its build-up to plot sweet vengeance.

The team under new mentor Sauler, who replaced Magnolia mentor LA Tenorio as head of the Gilas youth this year, will continue their preparations in the Filoil Preseason Cup by going up against collegiate teams after the SEABA Qualifiers.