Gilas girls earn Division A promotion after whipping Lebanon

Gilas Pilipinas girls celebrate after beating Lebanon in the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup final and earning a Division A promotion.–Photo from Fiba

On the eve of Gilas Pilipinas’ most important game, coach Julie Amos vowed that her charges intend to do better.

The young Nationals made good on that promise on Sunday afternoon, dismantling Lebanon, 95-64, to rule and complete its redemption story in the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup.

Alyssa Rodriguez shot the lights out in the finalé at Futian Sports Park in Shenzen, China, hitting six triples on the way to finishing 22 team-best points.

READ: Gilas girls enter Fiba U18 Asia Cup Finals, move closer to promotion

Alicia Villanueva chipped in 15 points, Naomi Panganiban, 13 while Sophia Canindo and Ava Fajardo 10 each in the repeat win over the Lebanese—a side Gilas beat by a big margin during the group phase.

The triumph completes the Filipinos’ atonement arc after falling short of a Division A promotion in Bangalore, India, nearly two years ago.

Gilas can now compete in the main tournament where Asia’s traditional powerhouses compete. Australia and China are set to dispute the crown tonight at Longhua Cultural and Sports Center, which is 40 minutes away from where the Filipinos stamped their class.

READ: Gilas girls crush Maldives by 123 points in Fiba U18 Asia Cup Division B

The Nationals kicked things up a notch in the second quarter, outscoring the enemy 33-9 for a pace that pretty much held up until the final buzzer.

Gilas enjoyed leads as big as 41 points with each of Amos’ players—from Gabriella Ramos, Jolzyne Impreso, Aubrey Lapasaran, Ashlyn Abong, Tiffany Reyes, Margarette Duenas, to Venice Quinte—all making contributions to the effort.

Reem el Ghali had 31 points, while Maygen Naassan added 19 for the Lebanese who settled for 2nd place.

Meanwhile, Samoa defeated Iran, 64-59, to salvage a 3rd-place finish in the earlier contest.