Gilas Boys rout host Indonesia to complete sweep, punch FIBA U16 Asian Championship ticket

Gilas Pilipinas Boys banked on a strong second quarter to frustrate host Indonesia, 77-65, and complete a sweep of the 2023 FIBA U16 Asian Championship SEABA Qualifiers on Wednesday in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Gilas finished the qualifying tournament with a clean 3-0 card to book one of the two slots for the Asian Championship set this September in Qatar.

Holding a six-point advantage at the half, the wards of head coach Josh Reyes ignited from deep in the third period with Kieffer Alas, Bonn Ervin Daja, Kurt Nathan Velasquez, and CJ Amos combining for four triples for a 61-46 lead.

Velasquez' five straight points then sent Gilas Boys to a 70-54 cushion in the fourth before another basket from him made it a 20-point lead, 74-54.

Their hot-shooting second half compensated for a slow start in the first half, where the Indonesians even led by eight points early with Ketut Gede Bayu Putra leading the charge for the home team.

Alas was the top scorer anew as the second generation baller finished with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds alongside five assists, two steals, and two blocks while Velasquez and Amos listed 14 markers apiece.

Gilas previously defeated Thailand and Malaysia.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News