Gilas Boys fall to 0-2 in U17 World Cup with 62-point drubbing from Spain

Gilas Boys FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas Boys team absorbed a 62-point, 96-34 beatdown from Spain to go 0-2 at the FIBA U17 World Cup at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday.

Gilas, which opened the world meet by getting drubbed by Lithuania by 59 points, 48-107, is now out of contention for the knockout stage.

Sans main gunner Kieffer Alas, the Filipino hoopers just couldn't keep up with the Spaniards who zoomed to a 16-0 lead and eventually finished the first frame with 30 points while limiting Gilas to just two.

Joaquin Ludovice delivered the Philippines' lone field goal at the 5:17 mark of the quarter.

Spain, which dominated Gilas in the rebounding department, 71-22, never looked back to go 2-0 in Group A and secure its quarterfinals spot alongside Lithuania (2-0).

Maximo Garcia-Plata uncorked 15 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds to lead the Spaniards, who owned the Filipinos in points in the paint, 52-18.

Bench scoring difference was also glaring as Spain's second stringers scored 52 while the Philippines produced 13 only.

Bonn Daja was the lone Gilas scorer to have breached double digits with 12 points on top of five rebounds as Ludovice aided him with 17.

The Philippines look to close out their group stage campaign with a win, taking on fellow 0-2 Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Spain and Lithuania, meanwhile, clash for the Group A top spot also on Tuesday.