Gilas loses FIBA U16 Asia opener

Despite a solid three-point shooting, Gilas Youth could not put China away, and instead, China plotted its breakaway in the final 20 minutes. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas Youth had a sloppy start to its campaign in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship after falling prey to China, 84-67, early Monday (Philippine Time) at the Al-Rayyan Indoor Hall in Doha, Qatar.

Despite a solid three-point shooting, Gilas Youth could not put China away, and instead, China plotted its breakaway in the final 20 minutes.

Both teams engaged in a grind-out battle in the first half that even saw Gilas Youth holding a 36-31 lead midway through the second quarter.

China, however, recovered late in the second period and took a 44-43 lead at halftime before exploiting Gilas Youth’s turnovers in the third quarter to open a 68-59 lead entering the fourth.

China pulled away for good after holding Gilas Youth to just eight points in the final frame.

Zhang Boyuan led China, which joined Malaysia, 79-71 winners over Kazakhstan in another game, at the top of Group A standings, with 18 points, three rebounds, one steal and one block.

Fu Wenhao added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Kieffer Alas led Gilas with 20 points and eight rebounds but he committed four of the team’s 16 total turnovers.