Lithuania too much to handle for Alas-less Gilas Boys in FIBA U17 World Cup opener

A shorthanded Gilas Pilipinas Boys squad stumbled against a higher-ranked Lithuania side, getting dealt with a 107-48 thrashing to open their 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup campaign on Saturday in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Lithuania, which currently ranks no. 7 in the world and is eyeing to eclipse its fourth place finish in the 2022 edition, opened its bid with a 1-0 card in Group A while the Philippines, which is missing the services of top gunner Kieffer Alas due to a knee injury, fell to 0-1 to kick off its bid. 

It was all Lithuania right from the get-go, but a second half detonation saw the powerhouse club pulling away for good. 

They turned a 46-29 halftime lead to a 45-point advantage by the end of the third period, where they limited the Filipinos to just two field goals while flaring up with 35 points led by the 17-year-old 6-foot-9 Arturas Butajevas. 

They then unloaded a massive 12-0 rampage to open the fourth period with Butajevas and Majus Bulanovas conniving to further cause problems for the Philippines. 

Ignas Urbonas then split the defense and soared for a one-handed dunk as Lithuania breached the 100-point mark and onto the victory. The Philippines was only able to put up 19 points in the second half, while allowing the opponents to score 61. 

Butajeva starred for Lithuania after flirting with a double-double outing of 22 points and nine rebounds while Kajus Mikalauskas and Erikas Sirgedas chipped in 15 and 14 markers apiece. 

The Josh Reyes-mentored Gilas Boys leaned on Cletz David Amos, who top-scored the team with 10 points as Kurt Nathan Velasquez and Bonn Daja provided the support with eight and seven points each. 

Gilas will look to bounce back on Sunday, but standing in their way is another powerhouse force in world no. 2 Spain. Lithuania, meanwhile, will go for a 2-0 start when it takes on Puerto Rico. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News