Philippine girls one win away from FIBA Asia elite group

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas women moved on the verge of promotion to Division A of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship following a 71-47 rout of Samoa in the semifinals of Division B play at the Futian Sports Park in Shenzhen, China yesterday.

The young Filipinas raced to a 17-5 lead and never relaxed from there on to cruise to the 24-point win and arrange a Division B title showdown against Lebanon for the coveted ticket to the elite group.

Ava Fajardo drained 19 points that went with four rebounds, two assists and two steals in only 22 minutes of play as Gilas chalked up its fourth blowout win in as many games to move step away from realizing its dream.

Naomi Natalie Panganiban chipped in 12 while Alicia Margarett Vilanueva and Sophia Anne Dominique Canindo had 11 points each for the wards of coach Julie Amos.

Gilas had beaten Lebanon, 89-63, in group play where the Philippine girls also trampled Maldives, 141-18, and won by default over Syria.

The Filipina ballers enjoyed a two-day break as group topnotcher compared to Group A second-seed Samoa which needed to go through qualification against Maldives, 94-31, to make the semis.

Gilas now has one last hurdle to surpass. And it sets out for that duel as the heavy favorite.

The finale is set at 2 p.m. (Manila time) today.

Lebanon stunned previously unbeaten Iran, 64-49, in the other semis match.