MANILA, Philippines -- The Gilas Pilipinas girls are on a roll.
The Philippines’ Under-18 women’s team obliterated Malaysia, 100-68, to remain unblemished in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers Saturday at the Ratchaburi Gymnasium in Thailand.
Gabriella Ramos dominated with 29 points and 19 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. Ava Fajardo flirted with a triple-double with 14 markers, eight boards and eight dimes.
The Philippines led by just 10 points, 49-39, at the half.
They then unleashed a back-breaking 11 unanswered points capped by Margarette Duenas’ split from the line to push the lead to 21, 60-39.
Seven straight points by Malaysia pulled them closer, 46-60, but the Gilas girls responded with a 21-7 run to go up by 28, 81-53, going into the fourth.
The lead grew to as much as 36 points as they breezed through to the end.
Ashlyn Abong and Natalie Panganiban chipped in 13 markers apiece for Gilas.
Yu Rou Yap led Malaysia with 19 points.
The Philippines, who already punched an outright berth to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B next month, will take on Indonesia on Sunday at the same venue.