MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas Youth completed a dominant unbeaten campaign and clinched its seventh straight SEABA qualifying crown after overpowering host Thailand, 85-70, in the championship game of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers on Sunday night at the Chan Ka Pho Gymnasium in Thailand.
The Filipinos capped the regional tournament with a perfect record, extending their supremacy in Southeast Asian youth basketball and securing valuable momentum ahead of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup scheduled in India this August.
Thailand kept the contest competitive deep into the second half and narrowed the gap to 68-61 with just over four minutes remaining after a basket by Lorenzo Ravazzini.
But Gilas Youth responded like champions, unleashing a decisive 10-2 run to pull away and put the title beyond reach.
Joaquin Tovera, an incoming recruit of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, punctuated the late surge with a layup in the final two minutes as the Filipinos widened the margin and sealed the victory.
Tovera led the way with 21 points, along with two rebounds, one assist, and three steals for the national youth squad.
Patrick Pasinos and Ethan Aguas contributed 13 points each, while Chog Moral turned in an all-around performance with 10 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
Ravazzini paced Thailand with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Despite the defeat, the Thais also earned a berth in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup together with the Philippines.
With the regional qualifiers concluded, Gilas Pilipinas Youth now turns its attention to the continental tournament in India, where it will test its unbeaten form against Asia’s top young basketball teams./PN
