Gilas Boys drop to 0-2 in FIBA U17 World Cup after 62-point loss to Spain

Gilas Pilipinas Boys remained winless in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup after absorbing yet another beatdown, falling to powerhouse Spain, 96-34, late Sunday in Istanbul, Turkey.

The wards of head coach Josh Reyes fell to 0-2 in the global tournament while the world no. 2 Spanish side kept its unblemished record at 2-0 in Group A alongside Lithuania. Puerto Rico, which will take on the Philippines on Tuesday, is also winless at 0-2.

Only Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice was able to convert a field goal in the opening frame, which Spain capped off with a huge 30-2 lead before they headed to the intermission with a 57-13 cushion.

The Filipinos, who continued to miss the services of injured star Kieffer Alas, still tried to mount some fightback behind Bonn Ervin Daja, but Spain was just too much to handle for the youthful Gilas en route to the breezy victory.

Daja was the only player from the team to put together double digit scoring, finishing with 12 points alongside five rebounds while Ludovice chipped in seven markers, two assists, and one steal in the game that came a day after they were dealt a 107-48 loss by Lithuania.

Four Spanish players reached double digit marks with Maximo Garcia-Plata and Guillermo Del Pino pouring in 15 and 14 points apiece with the former also grabbing seven rebounds, nine assists, and a block.

Ignacio Campoy and Eric Del Castillo chipped in 13 points apiece.

Gilas will look to end the preliminary round on a high note on Tuesday against world no. 15 Puerto Rico.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News