MANILA, Philippines – No Andy Gemao, no problem.
Despite playing minus its injured high-flying star Gemao, the Gilas Pilipinas under-18 team kicked off its FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 campaign with a 75-48 whipping of Indonesia at the Arena Complex in Amman, Jordan on Monday, September 2.
Wilhalm Cabonilas filled the void left by the former Letran high school standout Gemao – who suffered a third metacarpal bone fracture during a tuneup game versus Iran – with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 8 rebounds.
Drei Lorenzo also stepped up with 12 points on a near-perfect 4-of-5 clip from three-point land, while Earl Medina added 11 markers for the Josh Reyes-mentored Gilas Boys.
With the Philippines only on top by a single point at the end of the first quarter, 15-14, Cabonilas took over and dropped 12 of his 19 points in the second period to help the Filipinos break away from the Indonesians.
Led by Cabonilas’ hot shooting, Gilas Boys outscored Indonesia, 23-2, in the second frame to turn their slim 1-point lead into a comfortable 38-16 advantage at the halftime break.
The Filipinos continued to pounce on the hapless Indonesians in the second half as their lead even ballooned to its largest at 36 points, 65-29, off a layup by Carl Manding with 8:50 remaining in the game.
Halmaheranno Hady was the lone Indonesian player to score in double figures with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting.
Overall, Gilas Boys shot 24-of-58 from the field and 14-of-21 from the foul line, while allowing Indonesia to only convert on 17 of its 70 field goal attempts, including a lowly 1-of-14 clip from long distance.
The Philippines goes for a 2-0 start in Group D when it faces host Jordan on Wednesday, September 4 at 12:30 am, Manila time.
The top four teams at the end of the tournament will qualify for the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025 in Switzerland.
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.
– Rappler.com
