Valiant stand not enough as Gilas Boys fall to Jordan in FIBA U18 Asia Cup

Gilas Pilipinas Boys kept it close the whole game but could not close it out against lower-ranked Jordan, absorbing a 62-56 loss in the  2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup on early Wednesday in Amman, Jordan.

The world no. 25 Philippines fell to a 1-1 record in Group D while no. 51 Jordan improved to a similar 1-1 slate ahead of their final elimination games later in the day.

Mark Esperanza top-scored for Gilas Boys with 14 points to go with three rebounds, six assists, and a steal while Wilhalm Cabonilas, who showed the way in their thrashing of Indonesia last Monday night, was held to nine markers, five boards, one dime, and one swat.

The wards of head coach Josh Reyes fell behind by as much as 12 points early in the fourth after Saif Al-Deen Saleh completed a three-point play for a 52-40 cushion for the hosts.

But the Filipinos staged a rampage, fueling a 12-3 run instigated by a triple from Cabonilas and capped by a stepback jumper from Esperanza as they pulled to within just three, 55-52, with still 3:02 left on the clock.

Jordan, though, had an answer after Hadi Ammar Alshami knocked down back-to-back baskets to bring them back up by seven, 59-52. Esperanza's layup in the final 56 ticks saw the Philippines staring at just a 59-56 deficit.

But a Cabonilas foul on Omar Salman saw the latter sinking two freebies to ice the game and give the Philippines its first loss of the tournament. Previously, Jordan endured a 71-62 defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

Gilas will return to court later at 9:30 p.m. to tackle the world no. 27 New Zealand in a must-win encounter.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News