THE Under-18 team of Gilas Pilipinas kicked off its campaign in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 with a dominant 75-48 win over Indonesia on Monday, September 2, at the Arena Complex in Amman, Jordan.

Playing without its injured star Andy Gemao, Gilas turned to Wilhalm Cabonilas who fired 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and also added eight rebounds.

Gillas will be missing Gemao in the tournament after the rising star suffered a third metacarpal bone fracture during the team’s tuneup game versus Iran.

Drei Lorenzo was also hot from the field, going 4-for-5 from three-point distance to finish with 12 points. Earl Medina also scored in double figures for the Josh Reyes-coached Gilas with 11 points.

Gilas settled for a slim 15-14 lead after the first period but Cabonilas waxed hot and helped the Filipinos stage a 23-2 run that gave them a huge 38-16 lead at the half.

Gilas did not relent till the end and even led by 36 points, 65-29, when Carl Manding hit a layup in the final 8:50.

Halmaheranno Hady led Indonesia with 12 points.

The Philippines will shoot for a 2-0 start in Group D when it battles host Jordan on Wednesday, September 4 at 12:30 am, Manila time. Gilas is looking to become one of the top four teams at the end of the tournament to qualify for the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025 in Switzerland.

THE SCORES

PHILIPPINES (75)– Cabonilas 19, Lorenzo 12, Medina 11, Esperanza 8, Burgos 6, Ludovice 5, Esteban 5, Manding 4, Figueroa 3, Santos 2, Velasquez 0, Perez 0.

INDONESIA (48) – Hady 12, Alex 6, Putra 6, Putera 5, Yudha 5, Sundinata 4, Linardi 4, Boentara 3, Kristanto 2, Auliarizal 1, Krisnanjaya 0, Aritonang 0.

QUARTERS: 15-14, 38-16, 63-29, 75-48.(CCM)

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• #Gilas Pilipinas
• #FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024
• #Wilhalm Cabonilas
• #Philippine Sports
• #Basketball