Gilas Girls sweep Asia Cup U18 Division B

Gilas Girls FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas Youth Girls team completed a sweep of FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup Division B tournament that culminated in a 95-64 final win over Lebanon at the Futian Sports Park in Shenzhen, China on Sunday.

With a repeat win over the Lebanese, the Filipinos got promoted to the top level Division A tournament where powerhouse teams China, Japan, Australia, and South Korea participate.

After a competitive first frame, 20-17, Gilas left Lebanon in the dust with a massive 33-9 run in the second period to enter the half with a 27-point, 53-26 lead.

The Julie Amos-coached team never looked back as it repeated over Lebanon to go 4-0 in the tournament.

Gilas opened its campaign with a 96-point 114-18 rout of Maldives followed by an 89-63 annihilation of Lebanon in the Group B preliminary stage.

The Philippines then massacred Samoa 71-47 in the semifinals before punishing Lebanon anew in the championship game, where Alyssa Rodriguez led the way with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting including 6-of-8 from the 3-point area.

Overall, the Filipinos buried 15 triples out of 38 tries, using long-range shooting to subdue the Lebanese.

Alicia Villanueva dropped 15 points and three assists as Naomi Panganiban pumped 13 points and four rebounds.

Ava Fajardo and Sophia Canindo chipped in 10 markers each.

Reem El Ghalil paced Lebanon with 31 points and 15 boards as Maygen Naassan backstopped her with 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Samoa beat Iran in the battle for bronze game, 64-59.